Scotland 'needs to plan 25 years ahead on floods'

Published on Friday 16 May 2008 21:48

THE Scottish Government has been urged to come up with a 25-year plan to tackle the threat of flooding.

A report by the Scottish Parliament's rural affairs committee also raised serious concerns about a lack of knowledge in Scotland of homes under threat from coastal flooding.

Among the 26 recommendations, committee members demanded proper sea-flood mapping is carried out, looking at the effects of rising sea levels.

MSPs also want the government to change the way it provides money to pay for flood defences. Currently, councils get money on the basis of population, not actual flooding risk.

The committee heard evidence in Moray and Glasgow about how they lack money to tackle their problems, while other areas with no flood problems still get flood-defence cash. MSPs also want satellite-warning systems to provide coverage in Scotland as they do in England. Committee convener Roseanna Cunningham said: "There are some things that we discovered which were quite shocking and certainly much needs to be done."

The committee recommended the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) takes strategic control of flood management from councils.

Dr Chris Spray, Sepa's director of environmental science, said: "I am sure the committee's recommendations will be a very valuable contribution to the way we want to see forward."

The report is due to be debated next month and will be used to inform the Scottish Government's flooding bill due to come forward in September.

Richard Lochhead, rural affairs secretary, said: "We will consider this report carefully as part of our development of the Flooding (Scotland) Bill."