Concerns raised over Dumfries Whitesands wall after section knocked over during floods

Concerns have been raised after a large stretch of wall was knocked over during the flooding on the Whitesands.

The worst floods in 40 years hammered the region last month, with businesses and homes being hit with rising water levels causing tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

As the clear up continues, more and more issues left in the aftermath are being discovered.

On the Whitesands a 50 foot stretch of wall near the Devorgilla Bridge has toppled.

Councillor David Slater, who represents the Nith ward, said: “This is a substantial wall and the water has just pushed this over.

“This is a part of the river that’s full of gravel and silt which partially blocks the archway of the bridge. There’s vegetation in there that’s built up over the decades.

“That’s the second wall that’s collapsed along there in a few months, so really it’s quite a concern. There’s a lot of water ingress there too.

“People do have concerns. There’s vegetation in the walls which is continuing to grow into them, and impacts the structure of it and gradually breaks it up.

“The large island in the river was built to save the erosion of the Greensands.

“If you look at the water when it hits the island it splits the river in two and it forces the water into that part of the wall. I can’t prove that’s why this wall fell, but I think it’s something that should be looked at.”

The local authority said it hopes to begin work on the wall in the next month.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the damage the floods have caused to this wall and have barriered the area off.

“A schedule of repair works for the wall is being prepared this week, seeking quotations to deal with the collapsed wall and other flood related defects in the Dumfries River Nith area.

“Depending on the level of interest and support received from contractors, we’d hope to commence works on the wall and other defects in the next month.”