Whitesands project - latest position
At Full Council on 4 October 2023, Members were asked to agree an optimum option to progress with the development of the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme and Public Realm Improvements.
What stage is the Project at?
The Whitesands Project is being delivered in accordance with the standard 9-stage process for flood schemes outlined below (Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009: local authority functions under part 4 guidance).
A report on the Whitesands Project was presented to Full Council on 4 October 2023. Members agreed to progress the published Flood Protection and Public Realm Improvements Scheme. This provided the mandate for delivery of 'Whitesands' as a priority capital project, a scheme to provide both flood protection and regeneration for the Whitesands area of Dumfries.
Following this decision, the Council appointed Turner & Townsend to provide technical project management services, enabling access to an experienced team of flood project specialists who currently work on a number of major projects across Scotland and the wider United Kingdom.
What is the latest position?
Our team have been working to progress this important project and we are now in a position to undertake additional ground investigation works to inform the detailed design of the project design - stage 7 above.
This stage of the process requires the following works to continue or commence imminently:
- Appointment of a suitably qualified and experienced ground investigation contractor through a competitive tender process. The successful contractor will carry out additional site investigation works to complement the existing information obtained earlier in the project.
- Appointment of a design consultant to undertake and complete the detailed design (Stage 7).
- Continued engagement with utility companies to confirm any required diversions, and to avoid any conflicts with the proposed Main Construction Works - Stage 9.
What do the ground investigation works include?
The ground investigation works include a process of further examining the ground conditions of the site where the main flood defence works are to be situated. The work involves various techniques to gather information about the soil, rock, groundwater, and other geological features present in the area. This work will provide updated results on the ground conditions, to complement and enhance information already obtained by the Council.
Please view map below for proposed exploratory hole locations:
Here's our progress to date (as of 9 August):
When will the ground investigation work happen?
The ground investigation works started in June 2024. It is expected that the work including off site sample analysis will take up to 16 weeks to complete. Where practical we would look to complete the investigation works as soon as possible, within the site constraints.
It is inevitable that there will be some disruption to access and parking on the riverside whilst the ground investigation works are ongoing. However, the appointed contractor will maintain access to pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic for parking at all times during the works. The works will be planned and phased to ensure minimal disruption during particularly busy times such as summer school holidays.
Further information
Please contact us if you have any questions about this process or the project in general via:
Email: whitesandsproject@dumgal.gov.uk
Telephone: 030 33 33 3000
