In common with many large-scale construction works carried out in recent times, the flood protection scheme has had to be delivered within constraints imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic for much of the build. However, it has continued to make good progress.

Flood storage areas at Brothock Meadows and St Vigeans are well-advanced, with the flow control elements in place. The embankment at Brothock Meadows is completed and the finishing works to the embankment at St Vigeans are underway. The grass seeding on the embankments is due to be carried out in spring next year.

The flood storage area works sited at Hercules Den are complete. The grass seeding on the location of the site has been completed and grass seeding of the embankment will again be undertaken in the spring of 2023.

The last of the “in-town” operations are underway and are supported with traffic management systems at the A92 and East Grimsby. Traffic can still access East Grimsby on a one-way system from the A92.

Angus Council and project contractor Morrison Construction are trying to keep disruption around this work to a minimum and appreciate the public’s support for this. Businesses in the area are operating as normal and, while parking around the traffic management is restricted, there is parking available at the harbour and on Shore Road.

Efforts have been maintained to engage with the public throughout the construction stages of the project. This has included site visits by Dundee & Angus College students to see the works at first hand, followed by presentations as a part of their coursework. Students from Abertay University’s Civil Engineering course (years 1-3) have also been welcomed on site visits, as have young people and teachers from Arbroath Academy who expressed an interest in the scheme for their schoolwork.

Project managers and staff have also visited local groups to discuss the scheme with them. Morrison’s have also been engaged with the government’s Kickstart Scheme on this project, providing valuable on-site work experience to two local people this year.

The Arbroath (Brothock Water) Flood Protection Scheme, which is funded by Scottish Government and Angus Council, is designed to reduce the risk of flooding from the Brothock Water, which runs through the coastal town, and provide a one in a 200-year standard of protection.

It is a national priority project under the Flood Risk Management Strategy and has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The scheme is designed to hold back flows in the catchment above Arbroath to reduce flows in Brothock Water, thus protecting parts of the town that have suffered from flooding in the past and remain at risk from flooding.

It will remove 530 people and their properties from their current level of flood risk, preventing flood damage that averages at £840,000 each year.

Meanwhile, Angus Council has secured £350,000 to help in the fight against coastal erosion at Montrose.

The award – from the Scottish Government Nature Restoration Fund – will assist in the appraisal, design and build of measures to reinstate sand dunes at Montrose Bay, next to Montrose Golf Course.

Angus Council is consulting with Montrose Golf Links, NatureScot, Marine Scotland, Montrose Port Authority and SEPA on the project.

Montrose Councillor Bill Duff said: “The project’s long-term aim is to reshape and rebuild the dunes that have suffered extensive erosion and to slow the pace at which the coastline is being eaten away by the sea.

“Studies by Angus Council and Dynamic Coast highlighted that dune repair work is urgently required to maintain the dune cordon and reduce the flood risk. I am acutely aware that this project, while important for Montrose, will also be very important to golfers, as it will assist in defending the golf course.”

The intention for the works moving forward include an environmental impact and options appraisal before construction work at the dunes begin.

This is part of the first phase of a wider plan that will include the development and introduction of a long-term erosion management strategy to further protect the dunes and replenish the beach.