Neighbourhood Services mark success of island scheme
Colleagues in Neighbourhood Services have celebrated the success of a £48million flood protection scheme with the unveiling a plaque at the site.
The project in Millport, on the Isle of Cumbrae, offers coastal protection to more than 600 properties and was completed in October 2024.
Throughout the works, designed to protect residents, homes and businesses against flooding:
- more than 142 metric tonnes of armour rock were used to construct breakwaters, which minimise the wave energy that can reach the sea walls around the shores of Millport Bay
- around 950 precast concrete units – including 361 flood walls, 251 kerbs and 337 revetment units – were placed along the coastline to form the backbone of the flood defence system and
- 1700 cubic meters of concrete were used as part of the onshore works, which helped create the foundations for units that will protect the town itself.
Council officers including Thomas Reaney, Head of Service for Neighbourhood Services and Russell McCutcheon, Executive Director for Place, joined Provost Anthea Dickson and guests as she unveiled a commemorative plaque near the project.
The project, which covers an area of approximately 2km along Millport seafront, was managed on behalf of the Council by global professional services business Turner & Townsend, with support from the Principal Designer Royal Haskoning DHV.
And the main contractor was Van Oord UK Ltd with support from subsidiary Mackley Civil Engineering.
The Scottish Government contributed 80 per cent towards the overall costs of the scheme, with the Council meeting the rest.
I would like to thank colleagues who were involved in this important project – from inception to delivery. The flood protection scheme will help to improve the safety and security of the island’s residents, for years to come, against increased coastal flooding threats. Other benefits include protection against rising sea levels, supporting economic growth on the island of Cumbrae by helping businesses remain open during stormy weather and easing erosion of the coastline.
Published February 18, 2026
