McLaughlin & Harvey awarded £45.4m Dumfries flood protection contract

Dumfries and Galloway Council has awarded the main works contract for the Whitesands Flood Protection and Public Realm Improvement Scheme in Dumfries to McLaughlin & Harvey.

The contract carries a value of £45.44 million and is expected to run over a 43-month construction programme following completion of the council’s two-stage procurement process.

The wider £68.6 million project secured approval in late 2025 and is designed to reduce flood risk across Dumfries town centre from the River Nith while delivering wider public realm improvements along the riverside corridor.

Works will extend from Greensands through Whitesands to Dock Park and are expected to include major flood defence infrastructure alongside environmental and public space enhancements.

The appointment follows an early contractor involvement stage which began in 2025 to support design development and project planning ahead of main construction works.

The scheme represents a significant infrastructure investment for the region and forms part of wider resilience and regeneration activity within Dumfries town centre.