Flood alleviation schemes
Caol and Lochyside flood protection scheme
Completion of project
Construction works on the flood protection scheme are now complete. The 2km long scheme which consists of a 1.2km embankment and 800m flood wall was formally opened by Councillor Ken Gowans on 31 August 2023. It has taken more than two years to build the scheme and the community is to be thanked for their patience during this time. Planting shall take place over the coming months.
Community Liaison Meetings
Monthly community liaison meetings with representatives from Caol and Lochyside, The Highland Council and RJ McLeod. The minutes and presentations for these meetings are available below along with the Traffic Management Plan and Landscape Plans.
Progress and update
Flyover video - 28 April 2023
Flyover video - 28 December 2021
As work on the new £11m flood protection scheme at Caol and Lochyside continues, The Highland Council and the contractor RJ McLeod is working hard to ensure that any disruption for the local community is kept to a minimum.
The new 1.2km flood embankment will run along the shores of Loch Linnhe from the Caledonian Canal embankment to the Caol Spit and an 800m flood wall will be constructed up the side of the River Lochy adjacent to the road and finishing at Soldier’s Bridge.
Enhanced environmental benefits to the wider community will be included as part of the works with improved access to the towpath at the Caledonian Canal and improved walking and cycling routes along the length of the scheme with planting, seating, paths and a play area.
The project, which is due to run over a period of approximately 22 months, will be constructed in phases.
With around 100,000 tonnes of quarry materials needed at site, traffic management arrangements will be in place and people should expect additional traffic on the local road network.
After carefully considering all aspects of safety, details of the proposed traffic management arrangements are currently being circulated to the local community.
The access to the site will be off the A830. For the works on the shores of Loch Linnhe a one way system is proposed for all site traffic with access onto Kilmallie Road over the level crossing at Banavie, turning right on to a small unnamed access road that runs parallel to the canal and to the rear of the properties on Glenkingie Street.
The plan is for all construction vehicles to leave the site at the Caol Spit access onto Kilmallie Road and proceed to the signalised junction on the A830 opposite Lochaber High School. Vehicles delivering materials to the flood wall on the River Lochy would access and egress the site using the signalised junction off the A830.
Whilst work on the flood wall along the River Lochy is underway, due to the restricted space, there will be a requirement for traffic lights to be used for an extended period of up to 12 months.
A Public Liaison Officer has been appointed to act as a point of contact for the community and can be contacted by email calfps@rjmcleod.co.uk or by phone: 01397 313110
The Public Liaison Officer and Highland Council Staff will keep the community updated regarding traffic management issues, construction progress and will be available to deal with any issues which may arise during the contract.
Formal Flood Protection Scheme Notice
The formal flood protection scheme notice was published at the end of April 2018.
The documents relating to the Scheme:
- Flood protection scheme Notice
- Flood protection scheme description document
- Flood protection scheme drawings
- Flood protection scheme design justification report
The documents were available to view in Caol Library and at The Highland Council headquarters at Glenurquhart Road, Inverness during the notice period.
You can email any queries or clarifications you have regarding the scheme to caol&lochyside.fps@highland.gov.uk or phone 01408 635313.
Public exhibition 16 May 2018 Caol Community Centre
Council officials and the council's flood protection consultant held an information event on the 16 May in Caol Community Centre. They explained the latest design for the scheme and provided information on the Flood Protection Scheme procedure. An updated fly through animation of the scheme was shown as well as the scheme drawings and illustrative display boards.
Fly through animation