WIREDGOV

Environment Minister highlights on-going flood risk.

Environment Minister Aileen McLeod visited Eaglesham in East Renfrewshire and Cathcart in Glasgow yesterday to see the White Cart Water flood prevention schemes in practice.

Dr McLeod met Bailie Philip Braat and David Russell from Glasgow City Council, and thanked local authorities, utility partners, SEPA and the Met Office for their hard work and commitment to managing flooding in affected areas. The visit comes as 40 flood alerts and warnings remain in place, with the Minister urging communities to check the latest weather and flood forecasts for their area.

The White Cart Water flood prevention scheme was installed in 2011, and received £42 million of Scottish Government funding.

The Minister said yesterday:

“The last few weeks have seen unusually high levels of rain affecting some areas of Scotland, with last month being the wettest December on record, and across parts of the country communities are working together to begin to recover from the impact of Storm Frank.

“It was great to visit Eaglesham and Cathcart today and see how the flood defence schemes in both areas are working.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in efforts to manage the recent flooding, including local authorities, emergency services and responders. The Scottish Government’s resilience committee remains in constant contact with the relevant agencies as we continue to support affected communities and businesses.

“As many areas focus on recovery, we are continuing to monitor the current flood alerts and work with local partners in affected areas. I’d once again urge people, particularly in Perth, Angus and Aberdeenshire to monitor the latest forecasts for their areas.”

Ministers have taken part in regular meetings of the Scottish Government’s resilience committee through the New Year period as national and local agencies work with communities to help them through the worst and return to business as usual.

For real time journey information on the trunk roads visit www.trafficscotland.org, follow @trafficscotland on Twitter or call 0800 028 14 14.

Notes To Editors

The First Minister and Environment Minister visited Newton Stewart on the 31 December while the Deputy First Minister visited Ballater in Aberdeenshire following flooding caused by Storm Frank.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead visited Inverurie, Brechin and Perth on 5 January.

Daily news releases have issued from the Scottish Government, with SGORR meetings happening regularly over the Christmas and New Year period.

The flood protection scheme funding has been made via the Local Authority Capital Settlement.

SEPA’s flood updates can be found by visiting http://floodline.sepa.org.uk/floodupdates

More information on the Bellwin Scheme: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/DFM-triggers-the-Bellwin-Scheme-20f6.aspx