Dumfries Whitesands flood protection plan agreement reached

Official adoption of the flood protection plans has been agreed

A major river defence scheme for the flood-prone Whitesands in Dumfries has taken a significant step forward.

Councillors have agreed to formally publish the plans and adopt them as a flood protection scheme.

The cost of the project has risen to £25m from previous estimates of between £15m and £17.8m.

The Scottish government would meet 80% of the bill with Dumfries and Galloway Council required to find the remaining figure of about £5m.

The plans have faced criticism over the loss of river views and a reduction in car parking spaces.

However, the council said it had tried to address those and the investment would provide flood protection and create a "high quality public open space".