Government splashes out with £400m to boost flood defences
SIX months on from one of the most devastating winters on record, a new strategy has been announced to protect thousands of homes from flooding.
More than £400 million will be invested over the next 10 years in an effort to defend Scotland’s most vulnerable areas.
Spending this year is being targeted in Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Highland and Falkirk – some of the places hardest hit as Scotland was battered by a series of winter storms.
The strategy was announced by Nicola Sturgeon during a visit to Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway, where she witnessed the devastating impact of flooding last Hogmanay.
She praised the town’s “resilience” but said further action was required to protect communities in future.
Under the plan, which has been put together by environment agency Sepa, local councils and the Scottish Government, 40 new flood prevention schemes will be created across the country, protecting 10,000 homes.
The £42m annual budget will also fund 130 flood protection studies in a bid to defend a further 26,000 properties which are also at risk.
The First Minister said: “Last December is on record as the wettest and saw levels at rivers across Scotland overflow.
“When I visited Newton Stewart on New Year’s Eve I met local butchers Kenny and Yolanda Owen at John D Owen & Son on what would have been their busiest day.
“Tragically all their stock was knee deep in water, which not only has a massive impact on the business but also on the wider community who were relying on them.
“As I walked down the high street what struck me was the resilience of this small community as they supported each other.
“Seven months on and the community have rallied round and businesses are getting back on their feet and returning to normal.
“However, the implications of the storm will be felt for a while yet and we need to work together to minimise any potential future disruption.”
Scotland was hit by some of the most damaging storms on record late last year and early this.
Aberdeenshire, where several communities were flooded, receives the biggest single slice of this year’s funding, at just over £7m.
Dundee will receive £5m and Falkirk nearly £3m. Highland and Angus will receiver over £2m.