Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife has revealed that Scotland has 243 Potentially Vulnerable Flood Areas. The answer was obtained in a written question to SNP Environment Minister, Paul Wheelhouse MSP. Based on the National Flood Risk Assessment, SEPA has identified 243 Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) where the potential impact of flooding is sufficient to justify further assessment and appraisal of flood risk management actions. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said: “The fact that SEPA has identified 243 potentially vulnerable flood areas is significant and I believe should act as a major wakeup call to SNP Ministers in pressing ahead with the assessment and appraisal of flood risk management actions needed to protect the communities affected. “It is clear that a new national approach is needed to address the flooding issues facing theses potentially vulnerable areas. “It is clear that lessons have to be learnt following the flooding which has hit communities across Scotland and that the preparedness for such events between the SNP Government and local authorities must be improved. “The SNP Scottish Government has been slow in addressing these flooding issues and taking action to protect homes and businesses. “The UK Conservative Government has now provided the SNP Scottish Government with £394m in extra capital funding. I hope that given the significant additional money provided to SNP Ministers by the UK Conservative Government a focus will be given to expand flood protection schemes. “The SNP Scottish Government in agreement with COSLA currently has a scheme where local authorities can bid for funding for flood prevention schemes in excess of £2 million. I am concerned that this has created a situation where smaller flood prevention schemes for communities have not been forthcoming and that many of the identified of these Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) would not be within this criteria. “I have today written to SNP Environment Minister, Paul Wheelhouse MSP requesting that the SNP Scottish Government’s review this and look to what additional support the SNP Scottish Government will provide local authorities to help support taking forward actions for the communities I represent in Mid Scotland & Fife.”