Eminently sensible solution to prevent future flooding

There have been many theories and solutions put forward in the past few days regarding Oban’s flooding – drains not cleared, the Black Lynn not deepened and the pumps not working being just three of them.

None of these can have any effect when the sea in Oban Bay is level with the water in the Black Lynn, or above it, making drainage impossible.

Earlier in the year I attended an afternoon event at the Rockfield Centre. The council and its consultants had organised this event to allow concerned members of the public to express their views on the frequent flooding.

In the considerable time I was there, only two other people came in. One of the consultants told me that the answer would be to hold back more of the Black Lynn floodwater in the Lon Mor, translated from the Gaelic as the ‘big puddle’, opposite the hospital in Glenshellach. This could be achieved by means of a low dam or wall around the lower side of the area. When the time was right – ie, at low tide – water could be gradually released and would flow down the Black Lynn and into the sea without flooding Lochavullin.

To a layman like myself, this appears to be a sensible solution, but unfortunately the Lon Mor is owned by a developer and part of it has already been filled in and built on. We all know about the problems encountered when building on a flood plain and it seems sensible to suggest that any further development on the Lon Mor should be stopped immediately.

Maurice Wilkins, Laurel Road, Oban.