By Mark Mackay

PEOPLE POWER can ensure that Perthshire is made a priority area for investment in flood prevention.

The Scottish Government launched its consultation on flooding in Scotland earlier this week.

New proposals aim to update legislation and help make the process for protecting at-risk areas quicker and simpler and will help shape the new Flooding Bill.

Mid-Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Murdo Fraser believes residents can play a vital role in ensuring their area takes full advantage of the proposals.

Mr Fraser wants as many local people as possible to tell the SNP Government, through the consultation, that the area requires an urgent review of areas at risk of flooding and that action be taken to reduce the possibility of future flooding.

Mr Fraser said, “It is welcome news that there is now a consultation on the future of flood prevention management in Scotland and I hope that as many people as possible in Perthshire will take part.

“Only last month we witnessed flooding in Perthshire and yet again residents and farmers saw flood damage to either property or land and roads being closed.

“That is why it is good news that new legislation is being proposed on flooding, which will make it easier to speed up the development and implementation of flood defences.

“I want as many people as possible in Perthshire to use the consultation on flood risk management in Scotland to urge the SNP Government to act quickly and to ensure this area receives investment in flood prevention schemes.”

Flooding at Milnathort, Kinross-shire, in December 2006 left dozens of residents homeless and businesses shattered. And just last month, severe weather left much of Perth and Kinross facing the spectre of further flooding with “severe” flood warnings across the area.

Perth and Kinross Council has been undertaking a comprehensive consultation exercise on proposals for new flood mitigation schemes across the area.

However, council leaders have already admitted that uncertainty over funding from central government means many “high risk” areas could be left in limbo.

Mr Fraser added, “It seems that every year there are parts of Perthshire that witness flooding and I want to see action take to tackle this issue.

“There only has to be a few days of severe weather—becoming an all too regular occurrence in recent years—for there to be flooding in Perthshire.

“Although there is only so much we can do when up against the forces of nature, I believe that we must have better flood prevention schemes throughout the area.

“Too often the River Tay and River Tummel flood and investment in flood prevention schemes is needed to reduce this risk.”

The consultation on proposals for the Flooding Bill will run until April 23, 2008. The Government plans to introduce a draft Bill to the Scottish Parliament later this year.

For details of the consultation document and an online response form visit www.scotland.gov.uk/ Publications/2008/02/13095729/0