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Welcome to the latest update on the Whitesands Project.
The Flood Protection Scheme
The Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme, with its public realm improvements, is not just about flood protection – it’s a catalyst for revitalising the River Nith waterfront. By enhancing the waterfront, we are creating new opportunities to boost tourism, support local businesses and attract more visitors.
Dumfries can grow as a cultural and leisure destination, strengthening the town centre and improving quality of life for residents and visitors alike. As well as reducing flood risk, the project supports the aspirations of Dynamically Different Dumfries, and will help to transform the Whitesands area, greatly improving an under-utilised area of the town.
The Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme was published in 2017, after extensive engagement with the community. During this time, public perception on viable alternative solutions continue to circulate. In this newsletter, we will explain why these solutions are not suitable for the River Nith.
A Complex Environment
There is a complex interaction between the River Nith and the aquifer (the layers under the river) as the river and its various tributaries cross the Dumfries basin. This occupies the lower part of the River Nith catchment.
Dumfries sits on dense gravels, sands and silts, underlain by sandstones. Ground investigation works we carry out along the Nith enable our designer to understand the interactions between groundwater levels, the influence of river and tidal levels and the influence of rainfall on how water flows below ground. This includes the capacity of the soil to allow water to pass through it (permeability), and the movement of water in soils (seepage). These all inform the choice of construction methods of flood protection.
https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/3685/1/RR06002.pdf
Build a bund?
A full-scale model of a 3 metre embankment was constructed on Whitesands car park in 2015 as a visual aid of the proposed design at that time. This model and further public engagement and feedback led to what is the now proposed redesigned flood protection scheme which combines flood defences with regeneration – creating a pleasant riverside environment for the public sensitive to the aesthetics of the River Nith. The redesigned scheme includes engineered flood defences, raised walkways, access openings, glass panelling and demountables – and no bund.
It was this scheme that went through a Public Local Inquiry and was confirmed by Scottish Ministers without modification in 2020. The council agreed to progress this scheme in October 2023. The aim of the Whitesands Project is to combine flood defences with regeneration and to create a more pleasant riverside environment for the public with integrated cycle paths and walkways.
Why dredging doesn’t work in this situation
Rivers naturally change shape and direction through time. They move sediment – made up of of silt, sand, gravel, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders – when there is high flow. The amount of sediment moved will normally increase during and after large floods, often resulting in significant in river changes.
Dredging is often mentioned by the public as the solution to flooding. This has been undertaken in the past, and while this may have been undertaken to reduce bed levels at specific locations, the evidence shows that overall effects would be minimal at all but low flow events.
Another reason dredging was done in the past, and at many other locations across the region, was for a supply of washed gravel – used in farm drainage works or as a general source of aggregate.
The removal of sediment, in addition to not being a solution for protecting Whitesands in extreme flood events, will generally have a negative environmental impact on the river ecosystem, resulting in a loss of wildlife and habitats.
Why rising barriers are not included in the scheme
Two self-rising barrier solutions were considered back in 2015 (one on the face of the existing riverside wall and one set back 5 metres from this). However, these were rejected as a solution on the grounds of technical, operation and maintenance challenges; greater environmental impact compared to other options and the fact that they were more expensive than the raised walkway solution.
Additionally, a simple risk analysis shows that self-raising barriers have a greater number of potential failure scenarios when compared with a solid wall / glass panel combination, including debris interfering with the hydraulic system, vandalism of the rising mechanism and potential for long term issues if not maintained properly.
Looking to the future
After remobilising the scheme in 2024, the project team undertook a review of the consented scheme design to support best practice and bring learning and innovation from other projects across the country.
The Belfast Flood Defence Scheme has extensive use of glass panelling and deployment of demountables. The design and use of multi-function green space at Hawick that supports community events. The Links Market in Kirkcaldy, Fife Europe's longest street fair, uses modern technology solutions to street furniture. These are just some of the examples the project team is taking learning from.
Jacobs was appointed in October 2024 to develop the detailed design. By spring, the team will have finalised 30% of the design including fixing the flood defence alignment. This allows the design to be developed to 60% by summer and be 100% completed by autumn. The scheme will then be ready for full business case costing – Gateway 3 stage.
Members of the Whitesands Project Team met with emergency services on Tuesday 18 February.
Stakeholder Engagement
The project team continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure their needs are considered as plans progress, helping to shape a Whitesands that works for the community. Since the New Year, the project team has met with Archaeological Services, SEPA, Scottish Water Fishery representatives, Nith Inshore Rescue, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Loreburn Community Council and representatives from the Showmen’s Guild and Fair Scotland to name a few.
Dumfries Fairs and Showmen
We recognise the importance and historical significance of the Dumfries Fairs and the need to safeguard the longevity of that heritage. Two design liaison workshops have taken place with the Showmen’s Guild and Fair Scotland. These focused on the logistical requirements for the layout and flow of the March and September Fairs.
The most recent workshop on 25 March 2025 was constructive. Discussions centred on the needs of showpeople and options for placement of the Fairs on the Whitesands, while balancing the requirements of local businesses, accessibility, logistics and public safety. Representatives at the workshops included Dumfries Fair organiser for the showpeople families, Chairman of the Showmen’s Guild (Scottish section) and Trustees of Fair Scotland.
Emergency Services
Emergency services have provided valuable input on response times, access points, and the equipment needed for emergency launches on the River Nith.
Nith District Salmon Fishery Board and Nith Catchment Fishery Trust
The Whitesands project team, Nith District Salmon Fishery Board and Nith Catchment Fishery Trust have discussed the scope of works for environmental surveys. This included protected species, supporting biodiversity of native species, and opportunities for improving the condition of the river habitat. This enables the assessment of the impact of the scheme on the environment – during and after construction.
Meet the Buyer
The council now require the services of a qualified contractor to input into and support the detailed design development of the Whitesands Project through Early Contractor Involvement (ECI).
Following decisions at a meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council on 27 February, a Prior Information Notice (PIN) was published on the Public Contracts Scotland website.
There were 23 expressions of interests with 11 companies attending a successful meet the buyer event. The event was designed to brief potential contractors about the scheme, provide a project overview, outline the procurement approach, technical and environmental considerations, and answer their questions.
The Whitesands project team received positive feedback on the information covered.
Year in the Life of the Nith
As we move to the detailed design of project, we want to make places where people feel happy and connected. We want to think about what people will do there, how they will get there, how comfortable it will be, and what makes it special. This helps people feel like they belong and enjoy being there.
Public realm improvements focus on enhancing communal spaces such as parks, streets, and public facilities to create high-quality environments for all users. Considering a year in the life of the Nith can ensure we make the most out of public realm improvements.
Some of those with an interest in the public realm along the Nith include Fair Scotland, Showmen’s Guild and Showpeople families, Nithsdale Amateur Rowing Club, Dumfries Cycling Club, Dumfries Harriers, Dumfries Running Club, EcoArtSCIO (Nithraid Festival), Incredible Edible Dumfries, Active Travel and other stakeholders.
In the coming months, the public and organisations will have the opportunity to input into what public realm improvements should mean for landscaping and future proofing the Whitesands area.
Cultural Heritage and Dumfries Conservation Area Importance
The footprint of the Whitesands Project sits within the heart of Dumfries Conservation Area.
As part of the detailed design process, the project team is working hard to ensure the developing scheme celebrates, preserves, and enhances the special historic character and appearance of the area for future generations to enjoy. The designers have been asked by the archaeologist to be aware of Stakeford, Watermill Leat, Public Laundry and River Wall when considering construction methods.
 Next Steps
Ecological Surveys
A range of ecological surveys studying bird, animal and aquatic species began on 1 April with a survey of kingfishers. These surveys will continue throughout the summer and autumn.
Surveys must be undertaken at appropriate times of the year to make sure accurate data is gathered. We need to carry out a range of surveys to make sure we develop the right design for the scheme that is sensitive to the local environment and minimises impacts for the town, its people and wildlife.
These non-intrusive surveys will help us to understand the environmental conditions in the town, including plant and animal species living near the river. The results of the surveys will help identify opportunities to improve and enhancing the local ecology as part of the scheme, while identifying protected species and informing other licensing requirements for the flood protection scheme.
The surveys will also help us to plan the construction phase of the scheme to make sure we minimise disturbance to the community, local ecology and the environment.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions, please contact the project team on WhitesandsProject@dumgal.gov.uk.
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