Grahame given storms guarantee

Published on 29/09/2012 13:32

A MIDLOTHIAN MSP has been told plans are in place to protect residents in her constituency from storms.

Christine Grahame, who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, asked the Scottish Government for assurances that links had been set up between its resilience team and local 
authorities.

Ms Grahame asked the question during First Minster’s Question Time following storms that caused flooding and power cuts in Gorebridge.

In her response, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I am confident the right links are in place and that they worked well on this occasion. We coped well with what was described as ‘the worst September storm for 30 years’.”

Ms Grahame said: “I was told that the Minister for Housing and Transport [Keith Brown] worked closely with those local authorities that were likely to be affected, including Scottish Borders Council and Midlothian Council, ahead of the storms.

“Partners continued to work well together throughout the course of the storm, ensuring co-ordinated responses at all times.

“I would echo Nicola Sturgeon’s praise of both Lothian and Borders Police and Scottish Borders Council for their prompt response to flood warnings, which helped to protect property and the public.”