Flood protection recommended for 200 homes

ALMOST 200 Forfar homes are at risk of serious flooding – some as often as once every two years.

Engineers working on flood control measures in the town presented the findings of a study to the public in the Meffan Museum.

They displayed a map showing surface water at a depth of a few inches running down from the hills and surrounding the town, before pooling in “hotspots” where there is a serious risk of flooding at potential depths of up to almost five feet.

They called for houses in the danger areas to be fitted with waterproof doors, among other protection measures.

Mark McMillan, senior engineer with JBA consulting – commissioned by Angus Council to carry out the work – said: “The appraisal study has identified that some properties are at risk and could be flooded once every two years.”

“There was an example of flooding at the start of August when water came off the hills, down The Vennel and into the High Street.”

The risk was greatest in certain parts of the town, he added. South Street, East High Street, Academy Street, Queenswell Road and Myre Road were all included in the danger areas marked out on the project map.

Forfar currently does not have a flood protection scheme.

Mr McMillan said they were recommending “property level protection” measures on up to 192 houses to keep flood waters at bay, including waterproof doors.

“We looked at the cost of various options up against the damage they would prevent against which led us to recommend property level protection be installed at the areas most likely to be affected,” he said.