Perth Flood Protection Scheme (River Tay)
Perth, Scotland, UK · 1997-2001 (4 years in making, opened 2001) · £25 million (2001 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe scheme was a direct response to the disastrous 1993 Perth flood, highlighting the importance of proactive flood defence. - Represented the largest single investment in flood prevention in Scotland at the time. - Emphasized partnership working between local councils, government, and environmental agencies. - The project demonstrates the need for robust warning systems and community preparedness in flood-prone areas.
Key engineering challenges
Designing and constructing an 8km long flood defence barrier along the River Tay to protect 2,500 homes. - Integrating approximately 80 floodgates to allow access to the river while providing flood protection. - Managing environmental and aesthetic considerations, including the removal of trees and potential impact on views. - Addressing the increasing threat of flooding due to climate change.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Perth and Kinross Council; Scottish Executive (funding contribution)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 8km long barrier (earth embankments and stone-faced wall); approximately 80 floodgates.
- Disciplines
- civil; hydraulic; environmental
- Standards & frameworks
- Relevant Scottish flood defence standards and environmental regulations.
Sources: "Flood prevention barriers open", BBC News, 2001, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1624410.stm - "Remembering the Great Tay Flood of January 1993", University of Dundee, 2018, https://sites.dundee.ac.uk/hydrology/remembering-the-great-tay-flood-of-january-1993/ - "1993 Perth flood", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Perth_flood