First class flood alleviation for Forres
The Moray Council
Public sector
Forres, Scotland
Flood and coastal risk management
Home to 9,000 residents, the picturesque town of Forres, in Moray, Scotland, dates back to Roman times. However, the town was blighted by severe floods in 1997 and 2000 when the Burn of Mosset, which flows through the centre of Forres, inundated homes and businesses and severely affected the local economy.
In 1997, 430 residential and 27 commercial properties were flooded at an estimated cost of £3.7 million. Hundreds of residents had to vacate their homes and move into short-term accommodation, and the main rail and road transport links to the area were forced to close temporarily.