Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has challenged SNP Ministers on the threat of flooding in Scotland and the issue of dredging of rivers and burns in Scotland.
Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said:
“In recent weeks the South West of England has seen significant incidents of flooding which have in part been blamed on the lack of dredging of local rivers. This devastation has once again raised questions over why rivers and burns have not been dredged.
“Although Scotland has not faced the same threat of flooding this winter we cannot afford to be complacent regarding this issue and the feeling amongst many local residents I meet in communities across my Region which have been hit by flooding in recent years is that the pace for establishing flood prevention schemes and the need to annually assess the threat of flooding has not been given the status it needs.
“Across my Region there are a number of rivers and burns which have not been dredged in recent years including the Kinnessburn in St Andrews, the Foodieash Burn in Cupar, the Fochy and Queich burns in Milnathort, the Garry burn at Bankfoot, and the Water of Ruchill at Comrie.
“It is clear that, across the UK, Environment Agencies have provided poor advice over the dredging of rivers and burns to prevent flooding. In the case of the Kinnessburn in St Andrews the dredging of the burns has not taken place in recent times resulting in a much reduced water capacity.
“I have tabled a number of questions to SNP Ministers to ask what advice they have given to Local Councils and what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the lack of dredging of rivers and burns in Scotland.”
“It is clear that silt and debris levels have built up in recent years in many Scottish rivers and burns. The fact that we have not experienced any severe flooding incident due to lower levels of rainfall this year cannot allow us to take for granted the need to take action now to protect properties and communities in the future.”