KEY steps will be taken in the coming weeks in a bid to protect Musselburgh from the risk of flooding.

A £42 million flood protection scheme was approved by East Lothian Council in January 2020.

Since then, a project team has been working to undertake an outline design of the flood reduction options.

Various consultation events have already taken place, with the project team confirming that another series of events are due to get under way next week.

The finalised scheme flood maps will be published by next Friday (February 4), with a consultation event taking place at The Brunton on Tuesday, February 8.

The meeting will look at the proposed approach to defences along the River Esk corridor and see the previously consulted groups at Goosegreen, Esksides, Eskmills and Inveresk brought together.

Another meeting takes place the following day to look at defences along the foreshore from the mouth of the River Esk to the Magdalene Bridge on the Brunstane Burn – the meeting will involve the groups at Edinburgh Road, Fisherrow Promenade and Mountjoy areas.

Finally, the whole town will be consulted at a meeting at The Brunton on March 8, looking at the next steps for the project.

Conor Price, project manager, said: “It is highlighted that the project currently remains ‘off-programme’ – i.e. that it does not have clear, future target dates through to completion of the outline design and thereafter scheme approval.

“This is due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic over the past 22 months, and the commitment of the scheme to advance through a process of consultation.

“It is felt that if this current phase of consultation had been ‘programme constrained’ to a specific duration, this could have restricted a full and comprehensive consultation with the town.

“At this point, it is now reasonably considered that this phase may be drawn to completion in March, and the project team look forward to confirming a new, approved programme thereafter.”

A comprehensive process of consultation took place with Musselburgh residents last September.

A meeting was held with seven different areas – totalling about 1,200 properties – that are in close proximity to the proposed new flood defences in the town; the project team hand-delivered letters of invitation to more than 1,000 of those properties; about 370 doorway discussions took place between a member of the project team and properties; and about 100 people attended the meetings.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of East Lothian Council, described the past year as “challenging for everyone”.

He said: “Despite this, the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme has been able to make valuable progress thanks to the hard work of our partners and the great team we have at East Lothian Council.

“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic restrictions, we are delighted to make good on our commitment to engaging with the people of Musselburgh as we continue to progress the scheme.

“When this work is complete, a full report on the scheme and the views of the community will be presented to the full council for their consideration and direction.”