SMITH AND CAMPBELL CALL FOR FULL REVIEW OF NE FIFE FLOOD PLAN

1.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Aug 2008

Following the extensive flooding witnessed in North East Fife over the past few days, local MP Menzies Campbell and MSP Iain Smith have praised the emergency services and residents for their "swift action" and have called for a full review of North East Fife's flood plan.

Iain Smith MSP said, "The priority is to ensure that all residents affected have any damage to their homes fixed as a mater of urgency. It is imperative that all agencies are doing everything they possibly can to help those affected."

"By all accounts the emergency services did a very good job during this flooding but it is clear that a full review of flood plans needs to be carried out. Questions need to be asked such as: Is the current flood prevention needing updated? What future measures need to be put in place? Is emergency service cover adequate?

"The areas where flooding has occurred up and down the constituency needs to be identified and evaluated in order to ascertain what more can be done to minimise future disruption and damage."

Sir Menzies Campbell MP said, "It was clear from my visit to affected areas in the constituency yesterday (Wednesday) that the amount of water and the damage that ensued had taken most people by surprise. The work of the emergency services and residents alike must be commended for their swift action and the following clear up.

"It is also apparent that there is a need for a full review of North East Fife's flood plans. We must identify where flood prevention needs bolstering and how residents can be protected in the future."

ENDS