Local Councillors briefed on actions taken following flooding in Dingwall last year

Members of The Highland Council’s Dingwall and Seaforth Ward were today (Monday 19 October) briefed by officials on actions taken following the flooding in Dingwall last year. The briefing included details of the maintenance activities that have been carried out to date, as well as an update on the more major capital works which are planned.

Following the flooding, capital allocation of £250k was made to undertake works at two locations on the Knockbain Burn.  The works to consist of a coarse debris screen, upstream of the existing headwall, and works to improve the operation and capacity of the screen itself, which blocked and resulted in flooding last year.  The pandemic has delayed the works – but approval from full Council will be sought on the 29 October to confirm that these works can still progress.  The coarse debris screen is expected to commence early in 2021, with the more major works to the screen later that year.

Members also heard that following a flood study in Dingwall – the preferred scheme was submitted to Scottish Government in December of 2019, for national prioritisation and funding.  It is anticipated that the flood schemes that will attract Scottish Government funding will be announced in 2021.

A surface water management plan is also a commitment made by the Council and this is programmed to be complete by March 2022.

Maintenance works and actions taken following the flooding last year have included:

• CCTV inspection and jetting and the replacement outfall screen at Boggan Burn
• An additional gully sucker to cover Skye, Ross and Cromarty has been purchased  
• Improvements made to GPS data gathered on when gullies are cleaned
• The provision and storage of more sand bags is being investigated and a trial will be undertaken to providing sand bags to previously flooded residents
• Dingwall Flood Embankment works have begun, and the area is to be strimmed

Following the ward briefing members also requested that the community be provided with an update, and consideration is being given as to how to make this effective given the current Covid restrictions.