Major flood work being carried out across Moray is ahead of schedule and below budget.
Members of the council’s flood alleviation sub-committee were updated on the progress of the projects yesterday.
Councillors were told the Elgin flood alleviation scheme is forecast to be £1,598,000 under budget, while the River Findhorn and Pilmuir scheme in Forres is projected to cost £6,287,000 less than previously predicted.
Both works are due for completion next year, with the Forres project predicted to finish eight weeks ahead of schedule on February 19, and Elgin four weeks early on May 6.
Councillor Graham Leadbitter, representing Elgin City South, said: “The work that has been done is excellent. Even though it wasn’t complete, the flood alleviation scheme prevented a major flood in August, and there has been some very good feedback from the public in Elgin about that.
“We are also getting the benefit of a cycle route right through the heart of Elgin and a much-enhanced green corridor down through the centre of the town.”
Councillor Aaron McLean, Forres, said: “It’s great to see the flood alleviation scheme is on time, under budget and working, and to hear that, after the August flood event, it stopped part of the west end of Forres being flooded. It’s excellent news.”
Dave Gowans, project director for Moray Flood Alleviation, said: “Both schemes are extremely challenging projects. If they had said before work began that they could give me the progress we have had with the two major schemes under budget, I would have taken it.”