Balfour Beatty has been awarded a £27m contract to deliver the Comrie flood protection scheme in Scotland, on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council.

Awarded through the SCAPE Civil Engineering Framework, the scheme will see Balfour Beatty construct 2.8 km of river walls and embankments in Comrie along the Ruchill River, River Earn and River Lednock, an area known for significant flooding.

On completion, the flood defences will protect nearly 200 local homes and business, having been designed to meet a ‘1 in 200 year flood’ standard of protection, ensuring they can oversee such severe flooding events that only have a 0.5% chance of occurring each year.

Hector MacAulay, managing director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have been appointed to this scheme building on our long-standing and successful relationship in delivering flood defence works for Perth and Kinross Council.

“Drawing on our extensive experience and expertise, the scheme will not only better protect properties, businesses and key infrastructure from the risk of flooding but future-proof the town, ensuring it remains protected for generations to come."

In 2018, Balfour Beatty successfully delivered the Almondbank flood protection scheme for Perth and Kinross Council, comprising of a series of flood defences including flood walls, raised embankments and erosion protection measures along River Almond, protecting over 150 properties in Almondbank.

Works are due to commence imminently with completion expected in autumn 2026.

At construction peak, the schemes will employ a workforce of around 100 people, including 10 apprenticeship, graduate, and trainee positions.