Funding for flood prevention in the East End has been agreed — boosting plans for a new Parkhead health hub.
There will be around £3m spent on “critical” work at the Camlachie Burn, where a blocked culvert causes regular flooding.
Councillor Cecilia O’Lone, who represents the Calton Ward, has welcomed the investment.
She said: “I’m really happy, this affects a big part of my ward and the neighbouring ward as well with the flooding risks.
“It doesn’t usually take an awful lot of rain to cause flooding. It will be good to see this happening and help to resolve the situation, especially with the new health hub in Parkhead.”
Construction of the new £60m Parkhead health and social care hub cannot progress until there is “sufficient confidence that a surface water drainage connection” can be taken to the Camlachie Burn.
Plans were submitted for the hub on the former Parkhead hospital site at the end of last year. It would include GP rooms, a community pharmacy, dental services and a new library.
The culvert, between Shettleston Road and Biggar Street, has a problem with a build-up of silt and debris.
Cllr Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “Camlachie Burn’s natural travel was heavily affected by industrialisation of Glasgow’s East End and subsequent developments.
“These changes meant the Burn was no longer self-cleaning resulting in silting-up and narrowing of which caused flooding.
“The council has made significant investment over the last 10 years to address these issues.”
That investment includes £14m on the Camlachie Burn overflow, completed in 2012.
Councillors agreed to spend £2.25m on the work and £750,000 will be provided by the city’s health and social care partnership will provide the remaining £750,000. Work is expected to be completed in 12 months.
A penstock to divert increased flows down the Camlachie Burn overflow will also be installed to “reduce the risk of flooding downstream of Biggar Street”.
The work will also allow some social and private sector housing developments within the Camlachie Burn catchment to progress. All schemes are unable to move forward until there is sufficient drainage capacity.
