River Nith Enhancements

Climate change is already having visible effects on the world and specifically in our region through flooding. The earth is warming, rainfall patterns are changing, and sea levels are rising. These changes can increase the risk of heatwaves, floods, droughts and fires. 

The Met Office project that the UK will see warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers and more frequent and intense weather extremes (Met Office, 2024). SEPA recently announced “the number of homes, businesses and services at risk across Scotland is projected to increase by around 40% by the 2080s due to climate change”. 

The Whitesands area has suffered from historical and recent flooding events. The last major flood event occurred 30 December 2022 and resulted in substantial flooding in in the town of Dumfries. This was the highest on record, but there have been a number of other significant events.

There is an urgent need for people to adopt more active travel options. 

Our transport infrastructure needs to change to be fit for purpose for the 21st century.

Local benefits

There will be significant benefits to local people, businesses and visitors through the programme and individual projects.

The benefits will include:

• reduced risk of flooding at Whitesands and other areas in Dumfries
• improved townscape for Dumfries
• improved water quality
• more attractive walking area for residents and visitors
• employment and investment for local businesses 
• educational opportunities for schools, college, universities and community groups

Joined up approach

The individual projects will be delivered effectively, efficiently and safely with minimum disruption.

Coordination of work through the Whitesands Programme Board. 

Clear advance information for residents, businesses and supporting signage.

Contractors require to be committed to as a minimum to follow the ‘Code of Considerate Practice’ and we will seek to ensure our main construction contractor is signed up to the Conduct Considerate Contractors Scheme which embodies the highest standards the construction industry can and should achieve.

Financial management and reporting – robust arrangements are in place through regular Capital Programme monitoring and reporting; appropriately qualified staff; separation of roles; and adherence to the council’s Procurement and Commissioning Procedure. 

Continued stakeholder engagement

Stakeholders have been identified from all aspects of our community:

• citizens, particularly residents in the areas where improvements will be undertaken
• customers, particularly those using public transport 
• staff and councillors
• partners, particularly the community planning statutory organisations of Public Health Scotland, the Regional Transport Partnership SWestrans, SEPA, Historic Environment Scotland and sportscotland

We will follow our best practice in the Community Participation and Engagement Guidance and Communications Strategy.