This paper has described the development of the Saltcoats Flood Prevention Scheme through the analysis, design and construction phases. The previous flood prevention measures in Saltcoats were insufficient to prevent flooding of the community from overtopping of the sea walls. A total of 345 properties are at risk from flooding. Without the investment in flood alleviation, the present value flood damage losses in Saltcoats would exceed £18.4m over the next 100 years or £552m without discounting. The initial investigations into the physical processes defined the problem of flood risk to the town, the benefits of building the scheme and any constraints on construction. Consultation identified the impacts on amenity use and the geological SSSI and gained the support of the local community for a flood alleviation scheme. A broad range of flood alleviation scheme options were investigated and a short list developed. Technical, environmental and economic appraisal enabled selection of a preferred option. The scheme is economically justified with a cost of £1.96million and a positive benefit cost ratio of 8.9. The scheme was developed in detail during the design phase, and includes rock armour breakwaters within the harbour and the reconstruction of defences with raised defence crest levels at the south end of South Bay. The scheme provides a standard of flood protection of at least 1 in 250 years based on current sea levels and wave conditions. Taking into account the most recent recommendations regarding climate change, the defence standard after 50 years will be about 1:80 years. The construction impacts of the scheme on the environment were minimised throughout the design. Environmental improvement measures were incorporated into the scheme including viewing areas at the sea wall end of the rock breakwaters, improved access to the foreshore and interpretation boards describing the foreshore geology and other interesting local features. Substantial completion of the construction phase was achieved in September 2008. The construction costs presented to date are just under £2m and similar to those estimated at outline design stage.
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