£5.6m scheme to protect town from River Esk

Earth mounds of embankments and new flood gates will be installed after the town was given a high priority for action by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)>

The work is due to be completed by March 2018 and will be jointly funded by the Scottish Government and East Lothian Council.

At a meeting of the council’s cabinet this week they were told the local authority would pay 20 per cent of the cost - £1.12m, with the rest coming from the Scottish Government.

A further plan to spending around £7.4m on direct flood defence work in Haddington is also expected to go ahead with studies still being carried out and work not expectd to start until April 2018.

A report by SEPA ranked the need to act in Musselburgh as the 11th highest area of concern for risk of flooding nationally.

It said carrying out the work would prevent damage to 1,489 homes and 417 business premises, which could cost up to £29.6m.

It said direct action would involve lining the river bank with embankments of heights between 1metre and 1.5metres.

Future flood studies by SEPA have also been scheduled to be carried out for Cockenzie, Port Seton, Prestonpans, Tranent, Dunbar, West Barns and North Berwick.

David Northcott, the council’s team manager for structures, flooding and street lighting, said 32 local authorities had submitted sites to be considered for priority funding towards flooding prevention.

He said Musselburgh’s rating of 11th in priority was high, while Haddington came in at number 36 on a list of 41 areas.

Those 41 areas will be used by the Scottish Government for allocation of funds over the next seven years.

Councillor Willie Innes, council ledaer, said it was imperative the council had its part of the funding in place when the Scottish Government cash became available to ensure the projects go ahead.

He said: “As a local authority we need to be ready to do our part so there are no delays.”

ENDS