Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has sought assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform this week that Kirkliston would be prioritised for future flood prevention works.
Early last December, after torrential rain, the River Almond burst its banks at Kirkliston, much to the concern of local residents, who have faced regular flooding threats and the damage that floods have caused over many years.
At the Scottish Parliament this week, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs, asked – What assessment has been made of the additional measures that will be required to protect residents and businesses in Kirkliston? Will the cabinet secretary assure local people that the Scottish Government will support any necessary measures?
Full transcript of question in Parliament below.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has agreed to look into what plans there are for flood prevention measure at the River Almond in Kirkliston.
“Last year saw unprecedented levels of flooding in Kirkliston and it is clear flood prevention work needs to be carried out.
“I will continue to lobby on behalf of residents and businesses in Kirkliston for the River Almond to be a top priority for flood prevention works to be carried out.”
Flood Prevention Measures (Lothian)
· 3. Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con):
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support flood prevention measures in Lothian. (S5O-04915)
· The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Roseanna Cunningham):
In our programme for government, we committed to providing an extra £150 million for flood risk management, in addition to the £420 million 10-year funding that we have provided to local authorities.
We continue to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, local authorities and other relevant bodies to deliver the actions that are detailed in the current flood risk management strategies and plans. That includes supporting the estimated £42 million Musselburgh flood protection scheme, which is at design stage. The next round of strategies and plans will detail the actions that have been prioritised in the 2022 to 2028 flood risk management cycle in order to reduce the risk of flooding to communities in Lothian and elsewhere.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that, after torrential rain in early December last year, the River Almond burst its banks at Kirkliston, much to the concern of local residents, who have faced regular flooding threats and the damage that floods have caused over many years. What assessment has been made of the additional measures that will be required to protect residents and businesses in Kirkliston? Will the cabinet secretary assure local people that the Scottish Government will support any necessary measures? Will she also agree to a site visit with me to see the impact of flooding on the local community in Kirkliston?
I am not certain that I can agree to the site visit proposal in the current circumstances. I will need to take advice, but we will certainly liaise with Miles Briggs on that.
For any proposal, detailed discussions involving local authorities and SEPA need to take place. I am not certain how far that process has gone in relation to Kirkliston. If Kirkliston is not already one of the areas that is listed in the plans, consideration will be given to its inclusion. I undertake to write to Miles Briggs on that specific issue. Given the recent nature of the incident that he talked about, it would be helpful to know the extent to which consideration and discussions are already taking place on the inclusion of Kirkliston in future flood risk management proposals.
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