Whitesands flood protection inquiry complete

Credit: ITV Border

A report from the public inquiry into a controversial £25m flood protection scheme for Dumfries has been completed.

The River Nith has a long history of flooding in Dumfries and problems in the Whitesands area have become an almost annual occurrence in recent years.

The original design for the flood prevention scheme in the Whitesands area of the town was put forward in 2012, in an attempt to better protect the town from flooding.

However, opponents of the scheme are concerned about the impact on riverside views and the loss of car parking spaces.

A "raised walkway" concept with a combination of walls, glass panels and flood gates providing flood protection was designed to try to address these issues of concern.

Opposition remained however, and there were numerous attempts to get the local authority to drop the plan.

The scheme reached public inquiry at the end of last year.

The decision is expected to be announced in "the next few months".

A 3D model of the Whitesands flood protection scheme Credit: Dumfries and Galloway Council