Flood plan challenged at inquiry

Elgin has been badly affected by flooding in recent years

Plans to build a flood protection scheme for Elgin are being challenged at a public inquiry which has got under way in the town.

Moray Council believes the project is vital to prevent the kind of devastation seen earlier this month.

However, some critics claim the flood plan could put their properties at greater risk.

The recent flooding was the third such major incident to hit the area in 12 years.

Similar flooding problems happened in Elgin in 1997 and again in 2002.

Three weeks

The inquiry comes as hundreds of people in the town continue cleaning up in the wake of the major floods which struck the area at the start of the month.

Scores of residents had to move from their homes.

A report by the council has estimated the latest repair bill at between £1.8m and £2.7m.

One of the objectors to the planned £83m flood protection scheme, textiles company Johnstons of Elgin, withdrew opposition before the inquiry started.

The inquiry is expected to last about three weeks.

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