Public exhibition on Kirkwall flood defence plans

An exhibition next month will give the public the chance to view plans for increased flood defences in the Kirkwall harbour area.

A planning application is due to be submitted by Orkney Islands Council in the coming months.

According to the OIC, the plans could see new walls built on the harbour front – from the Ayre Road car park to Shore Street – to provide extra protection from potential tidal flooding.  A second phase could then see improvements made to the existing walls on Ayre Road.

On January 12, 2005, high tides and tidal surges resulted in flooding at the Ayre Road car park with more extensive flooding to Kirkwall narrowly avoided. In 2009, a Kirkwall Strategic Flood Risk Assessment identified tidal flooding as a significant risk to the low lying areas of Kirkwall.

The OIC’s Gavin Barr explained: “This exhibition will allow the public and other interested groups to view the proposals and feedback on them prior to the formal planning application.

“It should be noted that this isn’t a required step in the planning process.  We’re mindful though that this is a key area of the town and that the public will be keen to see and comment on the proposals, so we have organised this event.  The officers behind the scheme will be on hand to talk through the proposals.”

The exhibition runs between 10am and 4pm on February 3 and 4 in the foyer of Kirkwall Town Hall.