Advance works for the Comrie Flood Protection Scheme are set to “begin shortly”, according to Perth and Kinross Council.
Balfour Beatty will be carrying out the advance works until Autumn 2022, which will include tree clearance works in the Field of Refuge and erosion protection works on the Water of Ruchill.
The project will also involve other trial excavations to investigate public utility services and local archaeology, sheet piling trials at a number of locations as well as improvements to Legion Park.
Public utility companies will also be diverting their existing services (gas, electric, water etc) at the same time.
The main construction works in the village are scheduled to start early in 2023 and is estimated to take approximately 18 months to complete.
Vice-convener of the environment, infrastructure and economic development committee Bailie Mike Williamson said: “The flood protection scheme is a vital infrastructure project for the people of Comrie.
"I warmly welcome these advance works to prepare for the main protective measures in the scheme, which will significantly reduce the flood risk to a large number of homes and businesses.”
Comrie residents had the chance to see the flood prevention work planned for the village in more detail at an exhibition in the White Church last month.
Representatives from the project team, including Perth and Kinross Council, consulting engineers Sweco and contractors Balfour Beatty, were on hand on June 23 and 28 to discuss the scheme at the drop-in sessions, which saw a steady flow of people keen to learn more about the major undertaking.
In 2013, PKC installed rock armour on the Water of Ruchil at Ruchilside and a new flood embankment at Camp Road, as well as removing the old flood embankments at Tomnagaske.
However, these mitigation measures did not address the remaining flood risk from the River Earn or the Lednock and the new multi-million pound scheme is expected to provide a more robust defence and protect 189 homes and businesses from future flooding.
