RESIDENTS of flood-ravaged parts of New Cumnock have had it confirmed that a £3.3m flood alleviation scheme is one step away.

Final approval was given last week by cabinet members of East Ayrshire Council after the legal formalities were completed and there were no objections made to planners.

A public notice had been placed in the Cumnock Chronicle giving people the chance to give feedback, either positive and negative, and with no dissenting voices heard it only remains for full council to rubber-stamp the scheme.

Householders have endured several flooding catastrophes, the first major incident happening on December 30, 2013, when the River Nith, Afton Water and Connell Burn all burst their banks.

More than 30 properties were flooded which led to a working group being established which included elected members, residents, Transport Scotland, council officers and representatives of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

In June 2014, £600,000 was made available by the council to cover the cost of designing a suitable scheme, which was one of 40 given the go-ahead from the Scottish Government, at a total cost of £377million.

But the area was hit yet again, exactly a year after the first calamity, this time affecting properties mainly in Miller Road and Afton Bridgend, from the Afton Water.

At the same time, the Connell Burn overflowed at the Leggate but temporary measures were put in place to deflect water away from buildings.

On March 10 this year, the council committed to deliver full schemes for New Cumnock and the Leggate.

After no objections were received, within the notice period of 28 days, to the public notice in May the full council is also expected to agree to the proposals.

It is also likely that the scheme will attract 80 per cent grant funding from the Scottish Government.

Council leader Douglas Reid said: “This is good news for New Cumnock. We understand the anxiety of residents and it is important that we move as fast as we can.

“Initial progress has been made, with excavation already taking place which is reassuring for the community.”