MEMBERS of the public will get the chance to air their views on the Musselburgh Flood Protection Scheme at a drop-in event on Tuesday.

From 10am to 8pm, project team members and associated partners will be at the Brunton Hall to provide information about the plan, answer questions and concerns, and to record suggestions.

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Everyone is welcome to pop along and they are welcome to bring along their children too so they don’t need to seek childcare.”

A £42 million preferred flood protection scheme, approved by East Lothian Council in January 2020, aims to introduce defences against a one-in-200-year risk of flooding in the town.

Musselburgh has a history of flooding from the River Esk and the risk of flooding from the sea would be “substantially increased” due to climate change, the project team has said.

At risk of a major flood event are about 2,500 properties in an area covering High Street and Eskmills Business Park; Musselburgh Racecourse; Fisherrow Harbour; significant parts of Loretto School and its grounds; the A199; the town’s two road bridges and all of its footbridges; along with residential properties and businesses.

The whole town will be consulted at Tuesday’s event. It is intended that this will summarise the whole phase of consultation and identify the next steps for the project – part of which would involve removal and replacement of the Goosegreen footbridge, Electric Bridge and Shorthope Street footbridge. It is also proposed to replace the Ivanhoe footbridge.

The form of new physical defences is yet to be determined and could be an earthen embankment; a new wall; river form modifications; or a combination of these forms, the council has stated.

A draft outline design is expected to be completed by late spring and, when this is developed, it will be part of a proposed further public exhibition later in the year.