The event brought together elected members, officers, and representatives from the project’s delivery partners, including principal contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, programme and project management partners Turner & Townsend, and design consultants Jacobs, to formally recognise the transition from planning into construction.
The Whitesands Flood Protection Project is a major infrastructure investment designed to reduce flood risk to homes, businesses and key infrastructure in Dumfries town centre. The scheme responds to a long history of flooding in the area and aims to provide long-term resilience in the face of increasing climate pressures.
In addition to flood protection, the project will deliver significant improvements to the River Nith waterfront. These include enhanced public spaces, improved connectivity, and a more accessible and attractive riverside environment for residents, businesses and visitors. The design has been developed to reflect the character of Dumfries and its historic setting, while introducing modern, high-quality public realm features.
Sustainability is a key focus of the project, with measures to reduce carbon impact, reuse materials where possible, and enhance biodiversity along the river corridor. The scheme also supports wider environmental and regeneration initiatives across the town centre.
The overall project will be delivered in five phases, with work beginning at Greensands as the first stage. Phasing has been designed to support safe and efficient construction while helping to minimise disruption, and the council will continue to engage closely with local residents, businesses and stakeholders throughout the delivery of the project.
Speaking at the event, Council Leader Stephen Thompson said:
“Marking the start of construction at Greensands is a significant milestone for the Whitesands Project. This scheme represents a major investment in the future of Dumfries, helping to protect homes and businesses while also enhancing the town centre as a place to live, work and visit. We recognise that projects of this scale bring disruption, and we are committed to working closely with our communities as the work progresses.”
Seamus Devlin, Managing Director, McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, said:
"Being awarded this contract is a real testament to the civil engineering expertise that we’ve built in delivering complex flood protection scheme projects across the UK. We are committed to working with Dumfries and Galloway Council and all local stakeholders to deliver this scheme in a collaborative way ahead of programme."
Work at Greensands marks the first phase of the Whitesands Flood Protection Project, with further stages planned across the Whitesands area in the coming years.