PERTH AND Kinross Council has defended its reaction to last year’s flooding in Milnathort.

Dozens of residents had to flee their homes when the Back Burn burst its banks on December 13, and many have yet to return.

The council instructed Arup Scotland, which had built a £500,000 flood-defence scheme at Milnathort, to investigate the flooding.

The latest twist came when Perth and Kinross Council announced it would use the services of Professor Richard Hey, of East Anglia University. He has been appointed to look into soft flood defence options for Milnathort.

Milnathort Flood Action Group claims he will cost around £1000 per day.

The council refused to be drawn on the sum involved, but last night defended its stance.

“Perth and Kinross Council is doing all it can to assist residents by looking into options for strengthening the village’s flood response,” said a spokesman.

“As part of this, and following requests from residents, we are looking into whether or not a level of protection would be achieved by working with the flow of water rather than erecting barriers against it,” he said.

“Professor Hey made a preliminary visit to Milnathort to assess the situation there with a view to advising the council on what would be involved if he were to carry out an investigation into possible soft engineering solutions upstream of Milnathort.

“As part of this brief visit he asked to speak to a few residents—so arrangements were made for Professor Hey to speak to the chairman of the community council, Councillor Willie Robertson and some residents. Professor Hey did not require to speak to everyone affected in order to make his assessment, hence the meeting was not publicised.

“Depending on the outcome of this visit, the council will consider whether or not to engage Professor Hey to undertake this study.”

The council expressed surprise at comments by Mike Donaghy, freshwater policy officer at WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Scotland, based in Dunkeld. He queried the decision to appoint Professor Hey, but Perth and Kinross Council has a document that shows the WWF commending him for a previous role regarding flooding at Water of Ruchill in 1998.

The letter—written to the council’s roads, transport and architectural services, dated June 25, 1998— states, “Professor Hey has worked extensively in this area and is one of Britain’s top experts in this field. The council may also wish to consider if there are other sites that would benefit from Professor Hey’s advice while he is here, or perhaps he could give a short presentation to the relevant council staff.”