Perth and Kinross Council has been urged to review its multi-million-pound flood defences after homes and businesses were swamped with sewage water.
The local authority is investigating the circumstances around this month’s flood, which caused widespread damage to parts of Perth and surrounding towns and villages.
Properties around Craigie and the South Inch area were among the worst hit. Residents believe the failure to shut one of four floodgates – installed as part of £25m of defences in 2001 – caused Craigie Burn to overflow and turn local streets into rivers of dirty brown water.
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham is urging council bosses to check their flood protection systems.
“There is absolutely no doubt that the level of rainfall experienced in this area was extreme, but that doesn’t take away form the difficulties and anguish experienced by those of my constituents whose properties were compromised by floodwater.
“It is important to re-assess defences whenever an instance of this nature happens.
“With climate change, there is every chance that such extraordinary weather will become more frequent and we must ensure that flood management plans remain resilient.”
Ms Cunningham said it would be “extremely useful” to know what steps had been taken in an effort to prevent flooding.
A council spokeswoman said an investigation is under way. “The council also acknowledges the flooding that residents have suffered and we are doing everything we can to help those affected,” she said.
“Our current priority is to investigate the extent of the flooding and why it happened. This is allowing us to focus on the homes and businesses that most require our help.”
She said flood defences were “continually” assessed and a report is being drawn up to examine the council’s response.
