Moray flood curbs fears for canal

Early 19th-century spynie waterway could be inundated, say objectors

By emma christie

Published:

Moray Council has not fully considered the impact Elgin’s flood alleviation scheme could have on historical sites close to the town, an objector has claimed.

Duffus Estate believes the 200-year-old Spynie Canal could be damaged due to the increased speed and volume of water entering it if the works are developed as planned.

The claims are detailed in documents submitted for the upcoming public inquiry into the proposed £83million project.The works have been proposed in response to a long history of flooding problems in the area, the most recent being in 1997, 2000 and 2002.

It would involve building a range of safeguards including embankments, retaining walls and relief channels. Bridges would also be demolished and some burns diverted.

All parties due to speak at the inquiry were due to submit documents supporting their arguments at the end of last month.

Yesterday, paperwork from three objectors – Duffus Estate, Pitgaveny Estate, and Johnstons of Elgin – was on show at the town’s public library.

The documents for Duffus outline its concerns about the potential impact on the canal, built in the early 1800s.

Solicitor Donna Skelly, of solicitors Grigor and Young, says her clients believe the embankments and infrastructure placed upstream “will cause a greater velocity and perhaps volume of water” to go through the canal in times of flood.

She says: “Our clients feel that the Moray Council has simply taken the view that Duffus has to simply suffer the upstream changes for the greater good of Elgin.”

Ms Skelly says Duffus Estate believes the local authority has “not given sufficient thought” to the bigger picture.

Knitwear specialists Johnstons of Elgin has also lodged its documents outlining a range of concerns.

The firm has reservations about whether a temporary bridge could cope with its heavy vehicles and is also concerned about the impact of visibility and turning space at one of its access points.

In addition, the firm stresses its manufacturing work is “vulnerable and sensitive to damage and disturbance” and says it needs reassurance any negative impacts would be addressed.

Another objector, Pitgaveny Estate, believes the work could increase the risk of flooding on part of its land, which is “a major component of a viable agricultural business”.

The inquiry is due to start on September 23 and is expected to last eight days.