By Dave Lord

A FAMILY forced out of their home by devastating flooding in Milnathort have vowed never to return after “completely losing faith” in Perth and Kinross Council.

The Watt family brought their “dream home” in the village 35 years ago but—following the spectacular failure of the local authority’s £500,000 flood defences last December—say they are too scared to move back.

They could only watch in horror as water poured into their house after the dramatic failure of the much-hyped prevention scheme. The lower floor of their property was left completely gutted, with the water around four feet deep.

Even now, the Stirling Road property has not been returned to its former glory and the family insist they “cannot face” ever moving back.

Branding the situation a tragedy, mum Cathy (58) said her life is now in tatters.

“We had lived in the property with our two grown-up children and it was a beautiful house—a real dream home,” she told The Courier. “We were flooded 15 years ago—as many local people were—but thought it would never happen again.

“Part of the new flood prevention scheme was basically built in our garden—we faced massive upheaval for two months during the works, but at least it made us feel safe.

“Doubts were cast at the time and lots of people said the defences would not work, but to be honest I trusted the experts to get it right. I really thought we would be okay.”

Despite Perth and Kinross Council’s insistence that it was not negligent as “reputable” consultants had failed to adhere to a design brief, Cathy is in no doubt where the blame lies.

“We have completely lost faith in Perth and Kinross Council as a result of this,” she said.

“There was over four feet of water in our house and the resultant damage basically meant the whole downstairs had to be ripped out.

“It is still not back to normal and it has been so heartbreaking I do not feel we will ever be able to return.”

Cathy insists that legal action will be taken against the local authority.

“The council has to take the blame as it was their scheme from the very start,” she remarked.

“Our lives have been ruined and, while I admire people who have managed to move back to Milnathort and are getting on their lives, we just cannot do it.”

The Watts are now living in rented accommodation and face an uncertain future.

“We had lived in Milnathort for 35 years and the mortgage was completely paid off, so the last six months have been incredibly stressful,” Cathy said.

“It really grieves me to say we will not be back, but I just do not consider the centre of Milnathort to be safe.

“The council has failed residents and I am sure many others will also want to take legal action against the authority.”

Cathy has suffered ill health since the flooding and insists she is not alone.

“Loads of people have had their health affected as a result of the flooding and the fear that it could happen again.

“It is more than six months since it happened and our lives have been on hold. It has been a truly terrible time.”

A Perth and Kinross Council spokesman insisted the authority could “fully appreciate” the misery caused by last December’s flooding.

However, he said that permanent measures were being put in place that should allay the fears of people.

The spokesman added there had been “no indication” of any failures on the part of the council following the catastrophic failure of the flood defences it commissioned.