Dighty restoration project

ECOLOGICAL improvements to one of Dundee’s key watercourses could be on the cards if councillors back the move next week.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) have identified three lengths of the Dighty as having potential for restoration that would enhance biodiversity, expand the natural habitat and create better community access.

It covers areas:

•             north of Harestane Road from Harestane House, 88 Harestane Road to Emmock Road;

•             east of Millburn Gardens and upstream of the Trottick Ponds; and

•             between Fintry Road and Baldovie Road.

Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’[s city development committee said: “Restoring these three stretches of the Dighty would contribute to many of the objectives set out in the City Plan, Climate Action Plan, Greenspace/Green Networks and Biodiversity Action Plan.

“While this proposal is still subject to a successful SEPA internal funding application, we hope that they would provide the funding for the project, with support from the council whose staff will lead the implementation.

“Although we are still at early stages this is an exciting and important way forward which would be delivered over several years.”

If the various funding and approval processes are agreed construction work would be expected to start in 2028.

The city development committee, which meets on Monday (June 26) is being asked to agree that the city engineer develops the project with support from SEPA and other partners.