Dumfries and Galloway Council has clarified that its recent contract award for the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme is an "up to £38 million" agreement and not a confirmed spend.

The contract, awarded to civil engineering firm McLaughlin & Harvey, covers both the design development and potential construction phases.

The contract is structured in two stages. The first, which is now underway, involves an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase where McLaughlin & Harvey will work with the council to refine the scheme's design and costs. A full business case, including final costings, will then be presented to the full council on Friday, 12 December for a vote on whether to proceed with the main construction.

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The Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme is designed to protect Dumfries town centre from flooding by the River Nith, which has a long history of damaging property and deterring investment. The scheme's design includes permanent flood walls, reinforced glass panels, and demountable gates along a new raised riverside walkway.

The council is committed to transparency and community involvement as the project progresses. It recently held public engagement sessions and launched an online survey to gather feedback on how residents use the Whitesands area and what improvements they would like to see.

The project's proposed funding model includes 80% support from the Scottish Government, with the council contributing 20%, subject to approval.