THE Scottish Government has been accused of “washing its hands” of any responsibility for resolving Tayside’s annual flooding problems.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser is angry that Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham – the Perth MSP – has put the issue in the hands of local authorities and refuses to acknowledge that tackling the problem in the region is a priority.
He called for action after heavy rainfall caused chaos at Bridge of Earn, Kinross, Luncarty, Milnathort, Perth and Scone on July 6.
Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue said staff were overwhelmed by calls after a 45-minute electrical storm brought flash floods.
Mr Fraser believes the threat of flooding in Tayside means the SNP should take action to ensure prevention schemes are put in place for communities such as Birnam, Bankfoot, Coupar Angus, Dalguise, Kenmore and Scone. He also wants improvements for Kirriemuir and Brechin in Angus.
The MSP said: “I accept that local authorities must put forward plans for flood-prevention schemes but I am disappointed that the government will not set out whether or not Tayside should be a priority area.
“Communities throughout Tayside and in the Tay basin are at risk of flooding and I believe we must see a national response in Tayside to try and stop flooding where it is humanly possible.”
A spokeswoman for the government said it was spending a record £23billion on flood prevention between 2008 and 2010 to tackle the problem nationwide. She added: “It is for Perth and Kinross Council to first determine local need and allocate resources appropriately. Funding for flood-risk management is included in the total package of funding for local government.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said it was doing what it could to help lessen the impact of flooding. Council officials met Milnathort residents following the July floods and organised a self-help day with partner agencies to give people information to help them protect their homes in future.
The council is currently carrying out flood studies in Kinross, Comrie and Dalginross, Meikleour, Spittalfield and Caputh and in Birnam, and intends to commission studies for Aberfeldy and Logierait. Flood mitigation schemes are being developed for Milnathort, Almondbank, Bankfoot and Greenloaning.