Flood protection projects 'urgently' need finished

Just one-third of flood protection schemes due to be completed by next year have been finished, figures have revealed.

A total of 42 flood protection schemes are due to be built across Scotland between 2016 and 2021 but a Scottish Liberal Democrats freedom of information request in December revealed that only 14 have been completed so far.

In the wake of the flooding caused over consecutive weekends by Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, the party’s rural affairs spokesman Mike Rumbles called on the Scottish Government to “urgently” complete the work.

Mr Rumbles said: “From Aberdeenshire to Ayrshire, communities are facing the devastating prospect of floods.

“When it comes to flood defences, prevention is always better than having to repair after the damage is done.

“Our climate has changed dramatically in the past few years, simply bobbing along is no longer an option in the face of more frequent extreme weather events.

“There is a huge amount of work in the pipeline which urgently needs to be completed.

“The Scottish Government must make sure that local authorities have the resources they need to protect our communities and ensure that these projects are delivered.”

A government spokesman said: “Reducing flood risk is a priority for the Scottish Government and we are providing local authorities with £42m each year through the Local Government Capital Grant to help them invest in flood protection measures.”