A new £235million flood management plan that could help protect tens of thousands of properties across Scotland has been announced by Holyrood’s environment minister.
Designed to improve upon the methods used by local authorities to prevent flooding across the country, the plan includes proposals for 42 new flood protection schemes, early warning systems, engineering works and other initiatives which could be put in place during the next five years.
The cash injection could help protect an estimated 10,000 homes and businesses from the ravages of floodwaters, such as those which have wreaked havoc in communities across the country, particularly in the north-east.
Dr Aileen McLeod, the Scottish Government’s environment minister, said: “This plan will make a strong and lasting contribution to sustainable flood risk management, and will be at the heart of efforts to tackle flooding in Scotland.
“It is a major step towards Scotland being able to target efforts to plan and invest in reducing impacts in areas most vulnerable to flooding.”
The Scottish Government also announced this weekend that more than £12 million worth of funding would be granted to those who have been directly affected by the Storm Frank flooding.
On Saturday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Inverurie, one of the most severely flood-damaged towns in the country, to speak to emergency workers, residents and business owners whose properties have been gutted by last week’s extreme rainfall.
Of the £12 million worth of funding – which is being implemented in – £2million has been allocated to Aberdeenshire Council, and £500,000 has been granted to Aberdeen City Council.
The two authorities will use the cash to give every household, business premises or charity directly impacted by the floods with a grant of £1,500 – with an additional grant of £3,000 available for businesses whose trade has been severely affected.
Mrs Sturgeon said: “We’re also announcing £5million for infrastructure, so that councils can apply for help with things like the A93 repairs, and £1million will be made available for farmers who have had their land flooded, so it’s a substantial package.
“We’ll keep it under review because obviously we’re still in winter. We hopefully will not see any more flooding in the next few weeks, but we need to be able to respond to anything.”