Significant progress has been made on the Cumnock Flood Prevention Scheme with phase one substantially complete.

The work, currently taking place at the Leggate in New Cumnock, will form part of the £4.7 million scheme planned for the area.

Barhale Construction has been working on-site since April, with the diversion of a major high-pressure water main completed by Innovative Utilities.

Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council said: "The flood prevention works are now in place and protecting properties in the immediate vicinity of the Connel Burn from future flooding.

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"The works have been a combination of engineering measures, earth embankments and reinforced concrete walls that have been specially designed to contain any floodwaters within the Connel Burn. Our contractors have also re-profiled the ground and the existing burn bank to allow excess waters to be redirected downstream of the Connel Burn Bridge and away from any properties.

"Now this phase of work is substantially completed the Roads Maintenance Unit will begin to adjust the profile of the B741 carriageway to complement the works.

"I would like to thank the local community for their support and their patience throughout these works. The flooding that they experienced in the past was devastating and we are committed to ensuring that homes are protected and safe by developing an extensive flood prevention scheme."

Phase two of the works, which will see flood prevention measures being installed along both banks of the Afton Water, New Cumnock protecting homes on either side of the river, is expected to start in April 2019. A major gas main will be diverted before phase two begins.

(CM/MH)