The outline design developed by design consultants Jacobs on behalf of the council was presented through a public exhibition at the Eskmills Venue from 20–21 June.

The initial vision will now be “revised and reworked” based on feedback received through the exhibition, and a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) will take place.

The project team will continue holding meetings of the consultation working groups as it works to finalise the Outline Design.

A consultation programme for the second half of 2023 will be published in August once East Lothian Council has an opportunity to consider the main messages received through the exhibition feedback and then finalise this programme.

It is intended that the outline design will be presented to a full council meeting in January 2024 which will provide the opportunity for the councillors to consider the outline design, and confirm next steps.

Following approval of an outline design the flood protection scheme will then proceed to its formal approvals processes as defined in the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of East Lothian Council, said: “East Lothian Council is delighted to be coordinating this level of investment into Musselburgh, and to be delivering an enhanced landscape that will simultaneously provide flood protection, river restoration, and major parts of the new active travel network.

“The council has been working hard for a number of years to advance these projects and this outline design now shows us that we can achieve these outcomes in a way that will adapt and renew the river corridor and coastal foreshore for future generations.

“A huge amount of feedback was collected by the project team during the exhibition. The council will now work to ensure that the thoughts and comments on this first vision of the outline design are considered in full and that the design is refined to allow us together achieve a truly first class outcome for the people of Musselburgh.”

Conor Price, senior project manager, added: “The project team have worked very hard over the last few years to consult the people of Musselburgh and thereafter to find a way to achieve the objectives of this project in a way that ultimately enhances the unique character of the town.

“Obviously the costs have increased since we began the design, but hopefully these designs demonstrate that this additional money has been brought in to deliver the objectives that the people of Musselburgh have requested: flood defences that blend into the historical build landscape; river restoration; natural solutions; active travel pathways; better footbridges; protection for Fisherrow Harbour. etc.

“On behalf of the project I would like to thank everyone who has participated in the design consultation process to date for helping us make this the best possible flood protection scheme for Musselburgh.”