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Construction for North East flood warning schemes to begin

EXT01 – B12

Construction of 11 new river monitoring stations on the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk are set to get underway next week (17 November). This is part of a £1million project funded by the Scottish Government and led by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to implement a new flood warning service for the North East of Scotland.

SEPA staff have spent several months identifying the most suitable locations to site a combination of river monitoring and rainfall gauges within these catchments. In total, 14 new sites have been identified, along with an upgrade to four existing stations.

Around 2,500 homes and businesses will benefit from early warnings of possible flooding, when the schemes go live in early 2010. The areas covered include several large important urban centres such as Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly, rural settlements, large areas of agricultural land and significant transportation links.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, said: "The new river monitoring stations will help provide a vital flood warning system for the North East of Scotland. It is more important than ever to be prepared for flooding, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come.

"This scheme will provide an essential boost to SEPA's work in providing early warnings to identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to help protect communities from the potentially devastating impact of flooding."

Dr Chris Spray, SEPA's Director of Environmental Science said: "Climate change indicates that occurrences of flooding are set to become more frequent in the future. Flood warning schemes, such as the ones in development in the North East, will become increasingly important in providing communities with advance warning to help minimise the impact from potential flooding."

SEPA currently operates over 40 flood warning schemes across Scotland. Once a warning is issued, SEPA alerts local authorities and emergency services, giving them advance warning to take action. SEPA's Floodline service on 0845 988 1188 and www.sepa.org.uk is also available 24/7 to anyone wanting the latest information on flood alerts for their area, as well as information on what they can do to be prepared for a flood.

Ends

Notes to editor

• PICTURE DESK –Richard Lochhead MSP, Dr Chris Spray, Director of Environmental Science with SEPA, Aberdeenshire Provost, Bill Howatson and other flooding partner representatives will be available for interviews at the Castle Hotel, Huntly from 12pm, thereafter for photographs at Gibston Bridge, Huntly at 12:45.
• SEPA is working closely with Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Angus councils to develop the flood warning schemes and these are expected to be operational early 2010.
• Flood warnings and flood watches appear live on SEPA's website as soon as they are issued. Check our website for the latest information.
• SEPA remains committed to raising public awareness about flooding and runs a national campaign, every autumn, to urge those at risk to take steps to prepare for flooding now to help limit the damage caused by flooding.