Argyll and Bute Council is to take advantage of an unforeseen opportunity to carry out major work on a flood prevention scheme in Dunoon.

The work involves the section of the Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme within the supermarket car park in the town's John Street.

The supermarket closed for refurbishment on May 7, and is not expected to open until late July. This offers the chance to complete the pipeline works within the car park with no disruption to the store's users.

Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh said it was a chance not to be missed.

"We have taken the initiative in grasping this opportunity to carry out a vital part of the proposed scheme while the supermarket is closed.

"This will not only mean no disruption to customers, but also less cost to the community because the Council will not have to pay any compensation to the retailer for loss of business while the work is ongoing," he said.

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The overall Milton Burn Flood Prevention Scheme has been in the Council's Capital programme for several years, with construction planned for next year subject to the necessary consents being obtained.

It involves constructing new retaining walls/inverts to various sections of the burn and the installation of a flood relief pipe below the supermarket car park and under John Street down to the sea.

The current budget for the flood prevention project is £2m. The estimated cost of the work within the supermarket car park, agreed today, is less than £200,000.

It is anticipated that the overall cost of the entire scheme will be more than £4m. In order to provide flood relief as soon as possible, the Council is considering the project in two phases: the pipe and works in the burn upstream of the pipe and works downstream of the pipe.

The second phase could only proceed once additional funding has been secured.

There are several matters still to be resolved before the supermarket work can go ahead, including formal permission and agreement of terms with the retailer, final design and level of the pipeline, confirmation that the necessary materials can be delivered within the timescale and procurement of a contractor.

(GK/JM)