PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AND CLEAR TRANSPORT ROUTES NEED TO BE TOP FLOODING PRIORITY

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Jul 2009

Commenting on today's spate of flooding which has caused major disruption in North East Fife, local MSP Iain Smith and MP Sir Menzies Campbell have called for the protection of people's properties and ensuring clear transport routes to be top priority during instances of flooding.

Local MSP Iain Smith said:

"Last winter I was told by the council that a "Flood Scoping Study" was to be progressed for Cupar, Dunshalt and Strathmiglo, as well as other flood risk areas in Fife. I am pressing the Council to determine at what stage theses studies are at and what measures can be implemented to protect homes and ensure that emergency vehicles have safe access."

Sir Menzies said:

"This latest flooding was both sudden and severe and is a reminder that we are at the mercy of the elements. However, there is much that can be done to alleviate the effects of such spates and more must be done to ensure that the water has somewhere to go other than areas where maximum disruption is caused.

"It is clear that with the prospect of future climate change we must get on top of this problem so that the lives of people living in North East Fife are not blighted by the consequences of such flooding.

"This problem is assuming national and not just local significance and I shall be writing to the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Richard Lochhead, seeking clarification on national strategies. I will also be writing to Fife Council to find out what lessons, if any, can be learned from this instance and what more can be done to manage future floods."

ENDS