Nine engagement events were held which allowed locals and business owners to view the final proposed design, ask questions to experts and learn about how the proposed Scheme might affect them.

A feedback survey was available to complete online and after all the engagement events and asked participants about the need for the Scheme, their satisfaction with the design and any comments they had for the project team.

The engagement feedback report, which details the results from this feedback survey, is now available to view on the GFPS website.

Along with the report, a summary sheet detailing highlights from the feedback report has also been published to help readers understand the data in the full report.

Overall, 73% of respondents (65 respondents) agreed with the need for a flood scheme and 9% of respondents (8 respondents) did not agree with the need for a scheme.

Additionally, 70% of respondents (62 respondents) stated they were either ‘extremely satisfied’, ‘very satisfied’ and ‘somewhat satisfied’ with the final proposed design of the Scheme. There were 11% (10 respondents) who were ‘neither satisfied nor dissatisfied/undecided’ with the proposed design. In terms of dissatisfaction, 19% of respondents (17 respondents) were ‘extremely dissatisfied’. ‘very dissatisfied’ and ‘somewhat dissatisfied’ with the Scheme design.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who attended our engagement events and completed our feedback survey either in-person or online. The Feedback Report gives us an idea of how those who are affected feel about the scheme and what else we need to work on over the coming months. We are thankful for the continued involvement and interest from residents and businesses who may be impacted by the flood protection scheme.”

A full analysis of the results for the feedback survey can be seen in the feedback report.

The consultation period for GFPS closed on 16 June 2024. In the next stage of the statutory process, Falkirk Council will now work with objectors in the coming weeks and months to resolve objections where possible and develop a way forward. It is expected the council will make a further decision on the scheme early in 2025.