By Rachel Watson
After five years of work and £43 million the Baird Burn flood defence scheme reached its completion this week, receiving a hopeful, yet cautious welcome from residents “Although our home has never been directly affected by the flooding, we’re glad to see work finished, its been a long time and now hopefully we’ll see the benefits of the work”, Elaine Paget a resident of Oxgangs. “I remember the last time the banks burst and the whole area was a mess, I’m really hoping that won’t happen again”.
The scheme which hopes to protect more than 1000 homes in the Colinton and Oxgangs area of Edinburgh, was declared officially complete this week by Councilor Mackenzie who said: “We have worked hard to improve flood protection and I am pleased that, with the scheme complete, we will be able to give greater peace of mind to the homes and businesses affected.”
The burn which runs into the city at Redford to meet the sea at Portobello has burst its banks four times in the last 16 years bringing millions of pounds worth of damage to the homes and businesses in the area. Over 250 homes and businesses where left under water with severe damage in the last flooding in 2002. The work over the past five years has included improvement of 15 bridges and culverts along the banks of the burn, along with 2.5km of new flood embankments and 4.5km of flood walls. It has also seen work done to strengthen existing defences and the making of two flood storage reservoirs.
