Yahoo News SNP council admits delay in closing floodgates ‘may have contributed’ to property damage
The failure by an SNP-led local authority to close floodgates ahead of the heaviest two-day deluge to hit Scotland in more than 130 years may have caused millions of pounds’ worth of property damage, it has admitted.
Perth and Kinross Council was accused on Wednesday of “shamelessly” trying to duck responsibility for the decision following the freak weather event last month that dumped up to 150mm of rainfall across much of the region.
The heavy rain on Oct 6 and 7 was due to an “atmospheric river” – a narrow stream of moisture-laden air – that saw the wettest two-day period on record since 1891.
It caused the River Tay to burst its banks, flooding dozens of residential and business properties in Perth’s North Inch area during the weekend of Oct 7 and 8.
In a report, Perth and Kinross Council admitted that “four floodgates adjacent to the North Inch remained open for a period of time during the flood event.”
It added: “The council acknowledges that the delayed closure of these may have contributed to the flooding of some properties.”
Civic officials have insisted that any decision to close floodgates is based on tide and water flow data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).
It said the body provided data shortly after 8pm on Oct 7 that indicated most gates should be shut.
But the council said this was only an hour and a half before high tide and did not leave enough time to act because it takes staff almost five hours to close the floodgates.
Sepa has said it began warning public partners, including Perth and Kinross Council, of potential flooding on Oct 4.
It added that a Met Office amber weather warning for heavy rain had also been issued and that floods early in the weekend prompted Police Scotland to declare a major incident.
Murdo Fraser, the Tory MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said the council’s failures had inflicted millions of pounds’ worth of damage on business and residents.
The cost of repairs at Perth’s Bell’s Sports Centre alone has been estimated at up to £2 million.
“I welcome that the council is accepting some responsibility because it does seem clear that the failure to shut floodgates in good time was at least a contributing factor,” said Mr Fraser.
“The council shamelessly tried to blame Sepa but the responsibility must fall on them. The council now needs to tell us what steps they will take to compensate businesses and residents who have incurred substantial damages due to their negligence.”
‘A very difficult time’
Perth and Kinross Council reviewed the handling of the flooding at a meeting on Wednesday.
Officials said a major incident was not called in Tayside until the morning of Sunday Oct 8 and pointed out that – with the exception of floodgates at South Inch – flood and weather warnings “have never been the triggers” for closing floodgates.
In a report to councillors, Perth and Kinross Council acknowledged it had been “a very difficult time, particularly financially and emotionally” for those affected.
It added: “Understandably, residents and business owners were frustrated, upset and angry about recent events.”
Sepa declined on Wednesday to disclose specific details of written flood warnings that were issued to Perth and Kinross Council, but said the documents, which included colour-coded maps and descriptions, could be accessed under freedom of information law.
David Pirie, Executive Director at Sepa, said: “The operation, maintenance and deployment of Perth’s flood protection scheme is the responsibility of Perth & Kinross Council.
“Sepa has met with the council’s leadership. A full debrief with partners will take place in due course, as is standard practice.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman said: “We do not currently have any estimates for costs of the damage from the flooding events in October.
“This is the first in a series of reports to elected members regarding the impact of these severe weather incidents and further reports will follow in due course.”
