The purpose of this scheme is to reduce the risk of flooding to the communities of the upper Garnock Valley and help protect the most vulnerable:
- homes
- businesses
- local services
This is in response to the existing flood risk and recent history of flood events.
Construction works
Work to construct the Upper Garnock Valley Flood Protection scheme started on 11 August 2020. With a value of £12.6m, it is being undertaken by McLaughlin and Harvey with project management and support provided by Aecom.
During construction all necessary measures will be taken in order to comply with the latest Scottish Government Covid19 construction guidelines
The scheme provides flood protection using a combination of direct and indirect defence measures.
Works are divided into the following four areas: -
Area 1 – The upper storage area, Kilbirnie
The involves the construction of the flood storage dam across the River Garnock at Greenridge and Langlands Farms just north of Kilbirnie. This will temporarily reduce river flow during periods of high rainfall, to reduce flood risk to properties downstream.
Initial work is being undertaken to improve Dipple Road, Kilbirnie to enable the passage of traffic to construct the dam. Dam construction will commence in late August 2020 and is programmed to finish in early 2022.
Area 2 - Paddockholm Industrial Estate, Kilbirnie
Works at this location include the reinstatement of flood defence walls and the construction of a new flood defence embankment, in order to reduce flood risk to this area.
Construction at Paddockholm Industrial Estate is programmed to commence in September 2020 with completion in spring 2021.
Area 3 – Powgree Burn, Glengarnock
Works at this location include the construction of a formal flood defence wall adjacent to the Powgree Burn and the Glendale Arms. This will reduce flood risk to property in the vicinity.
Work is programmed to commence in February 2021 and finish in November 2021.
Area 4 – Mill Park, Dalry
In order to provide flood protection to the Mill Park development we are constructing a flood defence wall between the estate and Beith Road and a low flood defence embankment to the south. The estate will be protected by the railway embankment to the east. This requires the construction of embankment stabilisation measures. Limited works are also being undertaken to protect infrastructure within the DSM plant.
Work is programmed to commence in January 2021 and finish in December 2021.
Programme
Summary of the construction programme (PDF, 657kb).
Community Liaison
Mclaughlin and Harvey have appointed a dedicated Community Liaison Officer to provide a direct point of contact for any queries and project updates. If you have any queries they can be contacted on 07717 347320.
Should you wish to contact North Ayrshire Council, any emails should be addressed to UpperGarnockFPS@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Community Benefits
As well as the obvious benefit provided by reduced flood risk, the construction works contract will deliver:
- employment opportunities for local people and small businesses.
- liaison with schools to provide educational opportunities
- support for a local community project
Funding
This scheme is included in the Ayrshire Flood Risk Management Strategy and Local Flood Risk Management Plan, as a flood management action. It has been awarded 80% Scottish Government funding through the national prioritisation process.
Design Information
View a presentation of the detailed design and scheme overview
Dam visualisations
We have produced visualisations of the completed dam which
will sit just north of Kilbirnie.
The southern aspect of the new dam located just north of Kilbirnie.
The northern aspect of the new dam looking south towards Kilbirnie.
Construction progress
Aerial drone images showing progress at construction sites:
Area 1 – Kilbirnie – 30 November 2020
