Councillors back flood defence plans

Measures to bolster Kirkwall’s flood defences took a step forward this week as island councillors agreed to progress plans to build a wall round the town’s harbour front.

Proposed developments in the town’s low-lying areas in recent years have had difficulty gaining planning permission due to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) objections on the grounds of flood risk.

However, at a meeting of the OIC policy and resources committee this afternoon, elected members backed proposals that would meet SEPA’s criteria concerning coastal flooding.

This includes a 1.1 metre high wall in the harbour basin of which 0.7m will be a stone clad wall, with the remaining 0.4m consisting of glass panels with a stainless steel frame.

Also included in the project is additional work to heighten the protective wall running the length of the Ayre Road where required.

The committee heard that the total cost of the project was estimated at £1.758 million, and because it was eligible for 80 per cent government funding, they agreed to include it in the council’s capital programme for 2016/17 onwards.