Flood mitigation report highlights future funding concerns
Last updated | 22/02/2008
The latest report on inspections and works to reduce the risk of flooding carried out by Perth & Kinross Council will be put before the next Environment Committee on Wednesday 30 January. It will also highlight uncertainty about future provision of national government funding for flood mitigation schemes.
The Council is required under national legislation to publish a report every two years setting out the actions it has taken and plans to take to mitigate flooding on non-agricultural land in Perth and Kinross. These include inspecting watercourses, clearing debris and keeping them free of blockages, and promoting flood mitigation schemes where justified. All occurrences of flooding since the previous report must also be listed.
Since the publication of the previous report, the Council has carried out a range of maintenance work including repairs and camera surveys on culverts and pipes and clearance of rivers, burns and streams. Flood mitigation schemes in Bridge of Earn, Milnathort and Weem were constructed during the same period. The Council has also responded to incidents of flooding across the local area, some of which caused significant damage.
Proposed schemes in Almondbank, Birnam, Bankfoot, Coupar Angus, Comrie, Greenloaning and Scone are being promoted for future delivery, subject to the availability of funding from the Scottish Government. A flood study is taking place in Meikleour and further assessments are being carried out in relation to possible schemes in Dunkeld and Pitlochry. Preliminary studies are also proposed, again subject to funding, for locations in Aberfeldy, Kinross and Logierait.
Councillor Alan Grant, Convener of the Environment Committee, said: "We have detailed in this report the work undertaken by the Council over the last two years to mitigate flooding in the local area, and what we intend to progress next. The key issue for us at the moment is that we need confirmation from central government of the future funding levels for flood mitigation schemes. This is vital for us to make decisions about these schemes, for the reassurance of local communities who have been affected in the past."
