West Dunbarton councillors approve Gruggies Burn Flood Prevention Scheme progress

The proposed Gruggies Burn Flood Prevention Scheme works will introduce hard defences from Glasgow Road to the Firth of Clyde, as well as the addition of a flood relief culvert to minimise the risk of flash flooding during prolonged periods of heavy rain.

Details of the project were presented at the council’s Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development Committee, along with four alternative shortlisted options following an appraisal by an external consultant.

After discussion, members agreed the option to introduce defences and a culvert, which will cross Stirling Road to Greenhead Road down to the path south of Geils Avenue, then south along Oaktree Gardens across Glasgow Road before joining the Clyde, would be most effective to minimise the impacts of flooding.

Officers will now move the £20 million proposal forward by commissioning a detailed design, which will include site and ground investigations, full design specification, and consultation.

Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of the committee, said: “I am pleased to see progress being made with the Gruggies Burn Flood Prevention Scheme, with a number of different option considered for how best to tackle it.

“The option chosen presents the best choice for the location, as it will not only deliver the project’s aims but also minimise risk and interaction with private property.

“This scheme is an investment in Dumbarton and will ensure that residents and businesses in Dumbarton East and surrounding area will no longer experience flooding events associated with Gruggies Burn. I look forward to seeing the detailed design.”

The Gruggies Burn is one of the principal watercourses running through the town of Dumbarton, and flows southerly from its source in the Kilpatrick Hills towards to the Clyde Estuary.

Due to the steepness of the location, rainfall is often directed rapidly towards the burn, bringing the risk of flash flooding. In addition, flooding due to coastal challenges, such as high tides, storm surges and wave-overtopping, also occurs downstream at the Gruggies Burn.

Councillor Diane Docherty, vice convener of the committee, added: “The impact of flooding from just one source can be severe, but as the area around Gruggies Burn is impacted by both land and coastal challenges, it means there is a significant flood risk within Dumbarton.

“We are committed to finding a solution to minimise this risk and prevent homes and businesses in the area from experiencing the damage flooding can cause.

“I’m pleased that as part of the next stage of work on this project, local residents, businesses and other stakeholders will be consulted and their views used to shape the eventual design solution.”

The Flood Prevention Scheme was previously identified as a Cycle 1 project within the West of Scotland Clyde and Loch Lomond (CaLL) Flooding Group, with provisional Scottish Government funding allocated.

Due to oversubscription of the flooding budget, funding has been temporarily paused so projects can be reassessed. Officers expect to receive an update from the Scottish Government on funding later this year.

A potential phased approach to the delivery of the project will also be considered, and will be determined following the update from the Scottish Government.