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The Scottish Executive is providing £1.8 million of funding to SEPA to implement 3 new flood warning schemes in South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and East Ayrshire.
- The schemes will cover:
- Lennoxtown, Kirkintilloch, Torrance, Balmore, Kelvindale and Kelvingrove in Glasgow (River Kelvin)
- Clyde Valley, Dalmarnock, Westhorn, Carmyle and Cambuslang (River Clyde)
- Newmilns, Galston and Kilmarnock (River Irvine)
- The new schemes are due to be completed by spring 2006.
- The Rivers Clyde, Irvine and Kelvin have a long history of flooding. The most severe in recent times being the Strathclyde floods of December 1994 when 3 lives were lost and widespread disruption to infrastructure and services occurred. Major flooding to the urban centres of Glasgow, Kilmarnock and Kirkintilloch resulted in damage to the region estimated at £100 million.
- In recognition of the risk from flooding SEPA has been approached by South Lanarkshire, East Dunbartonshire and East Ayrshire local authorities to consider floodwarning schemes for the Clyde, Irvine and Kelvin respectively.
- SEPA must consider any Local Authority request for new schemes and make recommendations based on cost-benefit assessment and technical feasibility through providing a minimum of 3 hours warning lead-time.
- Implementation of the schemes will require the extension of SEPA’s hydrometric network by 5 new river monitoring stations, 7 new raingauges and 7 upgraded river monitoring stations. An improved floodforecasting model is required toensure that flood warning across the three catchments is accurate and integrates with existing SEPA flood warning schemes on the White Cart and Firth of Clyde.
Welcoming the funding announcement by the Executive, Sir Ken Collins, SEPA’s Chairman, commented:
“Advance warning allows the public to minimise the impact flooding has on them, their homes, possessions and businesses. These new schemes will benefit up to 15 000 properties and businesses along these rivers and will integrate with existing flood warning schemes on the White Cart and Firth of Clyde. This is a valuable service that will help reduce the economic and human costs of flooding in these areas.”
ENDS
Notes
SEPA, in Partnership with the Police and Local Authorities, currently operates 42 flood warning schemes across Scotland, through Floodline.
Contact
Emma Hargreaves on 01786 452447
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