Call to improve flood protection schemes

LIZ SMITH last night called on the Scottish Government to provide more support for flood defence schemes.

The Perthshire-based politician claimed they are trying to “pass the buck” to Scottish councils regarding the funding of flood defences.

The Tory MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife was speaking after the shocking flooding that hit parts of Comrie on Monday when the River Ruchill burst its banks.

Last night, Ms Smith said: “After what has been one of the wettest years on record, we are heading into the autumn and winter period when the risk of flooding increases.

“Many homes and businesses in Perth and Kinross face the threat of flooding and, sadly, due to limited investment in flood defences, this will continue to be the case.”

She continued: “I have seen at f irst hand the devastation which flooding brings to families, businesses, and communities and the costs faced to recover and rebuild after a flood.

“Every year, we have communities across Perth and Kinross having to deal with flooding. Residents are rightly asking why measures have not been taken to address the risk to their property and land being flooded.”

Ms Smith said residents want to see action from the Scottish Government to help “improve” the local flood defence infrastructure.

“Real investment and action are needed to improve our flood prevention schemes, improve flood defences and to deliver better planning and accurate flood predictions,” she added.

A spokesman for the Scottish Gover nment said that flood protection schemes are primarily a matter for local authorities.

“However, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting work that helps protect the people of Scotland from the effects of flooding,” he said.

“Local authorities can apply for funding towards major new flood protection projects, as agreed by the Scottish Government and COSLA. A total of £73 million was available in this spending review period, on top of the £53m funding that was allocated to existing projects.

“The publication of Scotland’s first national flood risk assessment was a significant milestone in the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

“For the first time, we have a national picture of flood risk across Scotland, which helps us to target future efforts to plan and invest in reducing impacts in areas most vulnerable to flooding.”

Comrie was hit by severe flooding this week.