MSP supports calls for Scottish five-day flood warning service

THE Scottish Government is under pressure to approve plans for a new five-day flood warning service similar to one that is operating successfully in England and Wales.

North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said he hoped the SNP would back proposals to establish a team of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) and Met Office staff to co-ordinate the emergency response to flooding.

The agencies, which were asked to find a way to replicate the Flood Forecasting Centre at a minimal cost, submitted a business case to SNP ministers earlier this year.

Staff at the London-based centre, which opened in April last year in the wake of a report into severe flooding in England in 2007, combine meteorology and hydrology expertise to forecast river, tidal and coastal flooding as well as extreme rainfall. Sepa flood unit manager, David Faichney, based in Perth, said: “We were asked to explore, with the Met Office, the benefits of providing early flood warnings in Scotland 365 days a year.

“We have now submitted a business case, outlining how such a service could be delivered without having to replicate a multimillion-pound building.

“It would be based at our flood forecasting and warning centre in Perth and staff would have daily communication with Aberdeen weather centre.

“Two staff would provide a flood statement 365 days a year, looking five days ahead.”

Mr Baker said: “The floods which swept Stonehaven in November were devastating and it is clear we need drastic improvements to flood prevention measures in the area as well as improved forecasting abilities.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We funded a study into how Sepa and the Met Office could work more closely together on flood forecasting.

“Sepa has submitted its proposals for a Scottish flood forecasting service and we are considering them.”