Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife and Cllr Ann Cowan, Conservative Councillor Strathearn have slammed the SNP Scottish Government after it was revealed that it will not provide a penny to help cover the costs of the Comrie flooding defence scheme. Around 200 people were evacuated from Comrie in November, with 60 properties also affected in August. As a result, Perth and Kinross Council rolled out a £1 million flood defence scheme for the Strathearn village. Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “It is simply not fair to expect Perth & Kinross Council to meet the total costs of the flood prevention schemes such as the works undertaken following the flooding in Comrie. “No-one denies that paying for effective flood defence projects requires major financial commitment. SNP Ministers have been able to find funding for flood defence schemes such as the one being developed for Forres in Morayshire by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment which will cost £44.2million. “The SNP Scottish Government has totally short changed local residents in Comrie and Perth & Kinross. Without any financial support Perth & Kinross Council will need to find the entire funding for the scheme from their block grant – this will undoubtedly impact on other budgets within the Council. “Taxpayers across Strathearn and Perthshire will be angry at the SNP for leaving Perth & Kinross Council high and dry.” Cllr Ann Cowan, Conservative Councillor Strathearn said: “As the local councillor for the area I am totally shocked by the SNP Government’s refusal to help fund the vital flood prevention works for Comrie. The work was completed by Perth & Kinross Council to address the urgency of the situation. “When Comrie was hit by flooding twice last year local residents were under the impression and had every right to expect that support and help would be forthcoming from the SNP Scottish Government as well as from the Council. “I am aware that SNP MSPs have been critical of Perth & Kinross Council’s response to the flooding. However, it now transpires that the SNP Scottish Government will not provide any funding what so ever - I contend they have no right to be critical when refusing all help. “I question the SNP’s attitude to people in Comrie and the fact that they left local council taxpayers to find the entire funding for the scheme. This is particularly concerning as there are a number of other potential flooding risk areas which will need addressing particularly in Comrie.”