£25 million Rothes flood scheme opens
A £25 million flood alleviation scheme was officially opened in Rothes today.
The project will protect around 400 homes and businesses and is the third major flood prevention project to be completed in Moray.
Rothes resident and councillor for Speyside Glenlivet Pearl Paul, was given the honour of unveiling a plaque situated on one of the flood defence walls.
The town has suffered flooding on many occasions, the worst event
happening in November 2002 when over 100 people were left homeless.
Work began on the Rothes scheme three years ago.
It has been the most technically challenging of the five flood alleviation projects promoted by Moray Council, involving work on three watercourses – the Back Burn, the Black Burn and the Rothes Burn.
A number of buildings had to be demolished to make way for the scheme and a new road bridge constructed over the Rothes Burn in the centre of the town.
Among the guests at the ceremony were Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, council convener George McIntyre and the local authority’s former director of environmental services Bob Stewart.
Councillor John Russell, chairman of the council’s flood alleviation sub-committee, said: "It is most gratifying to see this major scheme completed successfully and on time.
"I know it will bring great peace of mind to the people of Rothes who have lived with the threat of flooding for many years.
"Although not the most costly of the flood schemes in Moray it has been technically the most complex and congratulations are due to everyone involved in seeing it through to completion."
Flood schemes have already been completed at Lhanbryde and on the Burn of Mosset in Forres while work has recently begun on the Elgin project – the largest of its kind in Scotland.
Approval has been given for the River Findhorn and Pilmuir scheme at Forres, although funding is yet to be secured.
