£400,000 plan to tackle Helensburgh seafront flooding

Part of Helensburgh’s seafront is set to be allocated more than £400,000 to combat flooding, a report has revealed.

Members of Argyll and Bute Council’s Helensburgh and Lomond area committee have been recommended to approve the funding for West Clyde Street between its junctions with John Street and William Street.

The document for the committee’s meeting on Thursday has stated there is an ‘ongoing flood risk’ in that area, and that budgets could be combined to take measures forward.

A total of £152,600 would come from surplus CHORD funding, while a further £300,000 would be allocated from the Coastal Communities fund.

Roadworks on other town centre streets would also be allocated another £113,866 from further surplus CHORD funds.

The report, by interim executive director with responsibility for roads and infrastructure services Kirsty Flanagan, said there was ‘an on-going flood risk’ on that section of the A814.

“There is still carriageway and footway (west side only) resurfacing required for James Street which was originally funded through CHORD,” it adds.

“This work was delayed until flood alleviation methods were considered which would allow an economy of scale for the resurfacing works to James, John and West Princes Streets as ne operation.

“The preliminary investigation work on the flood options was paid for out of the surplus CHORD budget of £160,000 and £152,600 remains available.

“A very high level estimate of the potential budget needed to complete the works (new pipes in both John and William Streets and outfalls to the sea under West Clyde Street) is £300,000 per street.

“Clearly £600,000 is well above the currently available budget of £452,600, and the exact proposals will be determined once the trial holes have been undertaken and the locations of the relevant utility plant locations has been ascertained in detail.”

Ms Flanagan then recommends that the sums of money are consolidated and added to roads and infrastructure capital schemes as individual projects.

She added: “The potential solutions for the drainage works will depend on the outcome of trial hole investigations to determine the positions of the many utility pipes and ducts (water, gas, electricity etc.) below the carriageways.

“Once the investigatory works have been undertaken, potential solutions, programme and costs can be considered.

“On the assumption that there will be a worthwhile project within budget, it will be designed and a construction contract procured.”