The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Flood repeat risk a ‘ticking bomb if council fails to act’
Worri ed residents of a Fife village fear an inevitable repeat of devastating flooding , which ruined dozens of homes just three months ago, unless drastic action is taken.
Many home owners and tenants living in Burnside in Kinglassie are still living in temporary accommodation 15 weeks on from severe flooding which left homes under 3ft of water after Lochty Burn burst its banks in August.
Storm Francis forced police to declare the flooding a major incident after several residents had to be rescued from their homes as water levels continued to rise.
Those worst affected say recent remedial work carried out at the burn has not gone far enough and are calling for the entire 400-metre stretch of watercourse close to their homes to be properly dredged and widened.
Council tenant Pa t Norman, who has lived at Burnside for the past four years, said residents feel “abandoned” by the local authority who, he says, have repeatedly failed to heed previous warnings that the burn was a flood risk.
“We’ve had countless people from the council here visiting the burn but very little has been done before or since the flooding.
“It’s a ticking time bomb and it’s just a matter of when, not if, we will be flooded again.”
Neighbour Mark Watters said he and his family continue to livewith a family member after his home and car were ruined in the flood.
“We are having to live in a single room that a family member has offered us and are still unsure just when we can get back home.
“It’s been a nightmare. The flooding was the worst we’ ve experienced and ruined the house and our car.”
Jim Rankin, of Kinglassie Community Council, said the burn had suffered years of neglect and has urged the local authority to act.
“We’ve had discussions but the poor residents who will suffer need urgent action,” he said.
“A widening and an yearly dredging of the burn is a solution but that will cost money. We are urging the council to act without delay.”
Councillor Altany Craik, Fife Council’s economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation spokesman, said a concerted effort is being made to find a long-term solution to the flooding issue.
“In the past the council has been good at clearing up afterwards but now we need to find a solution to prevent it happening in the first place,” he said.
“We have already made minor interventions including cutting back trees but the wider structural problems need to be addressed.
“Discussions are now under way between to draw up a plan.
“Realistically the work will need to come in phases and agreements made as to how it’s paid for.”