£18m cash boost for Glasgow flood defences

Grants totalling £18million are to be poured into Glasgow's flood defences over the next four years, Scottish government ministers have announced.


The city council will put the funding towards the construction of defences along the White Cart Water river, which has inflicted serious flooding on more than 1,750 homes and businesses on the south side of Glasgow for nearly 100 years.

Work will include the creation of three permanent wetlands along the river to temporarily store flood flows, and the construction of eight kilometres of low walls along the banks of the river within the city.

It is estimated that the project will reduce the present risk of flooding to less than 0.5% a year, taking into account the predicted impacts of climate change over the life of the scheme.

Environment minister Michael Russell said: “We are determined to help local authorities such as Glasgow to protect their vulnerable areas from flooding and this scheme will give a high standard of protection to homes and businesses along the river.

“The people of Cathcart, which has suffered flooding for almost 100 years, will be pleased to hear the council is about to award the contracts.”

Councillor Archie Graham of Glasgow City Council – whose Langside ward has been affected by flooding – said: “I know that this announcement will be welcomed by the many people in the south side of Glasgow whose lives and properties have been devastated by the flooding.

“Glasgow City Council and our partners are determined that the White Cart Water Flood Prevention Scheme will protect the people living along the banks of this river and take away the stress and insecurity they have had to face with every passing winter.”

Government ministers announced in May 2006 that the White Cart Water Flood Prevention Scheme would go ahead and awarded the city council £2.7million in 2006-07 towards the preliminary costs of the project.

Kate Martin

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