The beleaguered Dunfermline flood prevention scheme is coming under continued pressure, as timescales continue to slip with a continued escalation in costs.
A report sent to Fife Council’s environment, finance and corporate services scrutiny committee estimated that a further £5.6 million will now be required from the council’s capital contingency budget to complete the project.
But the council is confident the overspend can be clawed back.
Dunfermline Central SNP Councillor Neale Hanvey, who has been pursuing the matter both locally and though the scrutiny process, met senior council officers to discuss the many issues raised with him at a recent public meeting.
Mr Hanvey said: ”Unfortunately, there was a delay in meeting officers but I had a productive meeting with all senior officers responsible for the scheme.
”We spoke about the concerns people have about the impact the scheme is having on their daily lives.
”Following the public meeting, I was able to identify five key areas that people, quite rightly, want answers to.”
They include:The original purpose of the scheme in the first place Why has it been possible for the cost of the scheme to spiral so significantly? Why has it been possible for the scheme to take so much longer than was originally planned? Why has the engagement with the communities affected been so poor? What reparation or compensation will be provided for those whose lives and properties have been blighted by the scheme?The councillor said he was most frustrated by the lack of engagement with the community, which he feels is still not improving.
He said: ”When the most recent works started in Forth Street, I found out about it when a friend contacted me via Facebook to tell me his parking had been restricted without any notice.
”Since getting involved in this matter I agreed a weekly update on progress and problems but the road closure was not mentioned; the same happened when the works at Liggars Bridge were delayed.”
At his meeting with officers he again pressed for better public engagement and was reassured by Dr Bob McLellan that a public event would be scheduled for early in the New Year.
This is to be followed by a full report on the scheme to the scrutiny committee in February.
However, Mr Hanvey is determined to see the community get the answers they want from this process and called on officers to be as transparent as possible in their report.
”I accept there may be elements of our inquiry which are sensitive but there is a need to be as open and honest as possible and a bit of contrition would not go amiss.
”Being able to say sorry is often a good first step in moving things forward, however late in the day it is.”
Fife Council’s executive member for transportation and environment, Councillor Pat Callaghan, said: ”Council officers are doing their best to manage the challenging situation around the Dunfermline flood prevention scheme.
”We have instructed the contractor to keep the public better informed on planned works and provide improved notification of works that will impact local residents.
”We have had meetings with Mr Hanvey and he is aware there will be a public meeting held in the new year and that the project is the subject of an ongoing, detailed review.
”While the projected costs have increased, the service is taking steps to recover any costs that are not the responsibility of the council. It is anticipated that the overspend can be recovered in full.”