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The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is to receive funding from the Scottish Executive to introduce new flood warning schemes along the Rivers Clyde, Kelvin and Irvine, benefiting up to 15,000 properties in the area. It will also receive funds to provide national flood maps on the internet by 2006.
Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, will announce the funding on 1/10/03 at Preparing for Floods, a joint SEPA/ Scottish Executive conference at Victoria Quay, which also marks the official launch of SEPA’s annual flood awareness campaign (27/09/03-11/10/03).
PHOTOCALL/ INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY, Wednesday 1 October 2003
9.30am Scottish Executive, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh.
Photo call with Sir Ken Collins, SEPA Chairman
& Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development
9.40am Press Interview opportunity
SEPA’s Chairman, Sir Ken Collins, welcoming the funding announcement for both projects said,
"For people at risk from flooding, the single most important thing they can do is prepare. The national flood maps and the new flood warning schemes being announced today will help those at risk to plan in advance and minimise the misery that flooding brings."
Mr Wilson commented,
“In the week that SEPA launches its flood awareness campaign, I want to make clear the Executive's commitment to help the public and relevant agencies prepare for floods. The substantial funding which I will be announcing at the conference for better flood risk information and flood warning systems is tangible evidence of that commitment.”
ENDS
Notes
Preparing for Floods aims to provide a discussion forum for flood issues, highlight new developments and importantly stress the fact that flooding affects real people’s lives. The majority of the audience are local authority planners and emergency planners.
During SEPA’s annual flood awareness campaign, as well as a national TV and radio advertising, a travelling ‘ad’ trailer will promote the Floodline information service across the country, and there will be 3 flood fair events in Haddington (6 Oct), Glasgow (11 Oct) and Elgin (13 Oct). <<http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/news/index.htm>>
Contact
Emma Hargreaves, SEPA, 01786 452447
Stephen Orr, Scottish Executive, 0131 244 2953
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