A new £37 million flood prevention scheme in Moray could set hundreds of homes and scores of businesses free from flood risk.
The Forres and Pilmuir scheme completes the flood protection for the town, which has suffered regular swampings from the River Findhorn and Mosset Burn.
The scheme was designed by consultant engineers Royal Haskoning, the main construction contractors were Morrison Construction.
Working with Moray Council’s consultancy managers the scheme was brought in nearly £8million under budget and on schedule.
It was formally opened by Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Minister Dr Aileen McLeod MSP yesterday.
The Scottish Government met 80% of the cost, and the remainder was funded by Moray Council.
Unveiling a bronze plaque commemorating the official opening, Dr McLeod said: “I’m pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to provide 80% of the funding that helped to bring this scheme to fruition.
“This investment demonstrates the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to do all we can to reduce flood risk in Scotland.
“I’d also like to give credit to the hard work and dedication Moray Council has invested in implementing the scheme with a design that will provide lasting protection against the sort of flooding that has struck Forres in the past.”
The scheme is one of five such projects being delivered in Moray, and at £167million comprises the largest flood alleviation programme in Scotland.
In addition to the Mosset scheme, two others in Lhanbryde and Rothes have been completed.
The final and largest element of the project in Elgin is expected to be completed by August 2015, at a projected cost of £83million.
Convener of Moray Council, Councillor Allan Wright, said that the area’s schemes had a real test in August following exceptionally heavy rain.
He said: “On August 11 last year, my 70th birthday, I spent much of that day watching the Rivers Findhorn here and Lossie in Elgin rise to dangerously high levels.
“It was nail-biting stuff, but both flood alleviation schemes held and the moment passed.
“In Forres alone, we estimated that more than 1,000 properties escaped the misery and devastation that would have resulted without this scheme, so we know this is a real investment in the safety of our people.”