Flood fears at scene of pensioner’s death

Action is needed to stop a repeat of flooding in an Inverness suburb where a pensioner drowned last summer, experts have warned.

There remains a high risk of the drain blocking at the scene where 68-year-old Bill Hamilton died, according to consultants who carried out an independent study of the floods. Heavy rain caused mayhem in the villages of Smithton and Culloden – flooding 70 properties, blocking roads and leaving cars stranded.

The downpour caused £286,000 worth of damage.

Mr Hamilton drowned while trying to clear a choked culvert near his Smithton home in a bid to prevent neighbours’ houses being damaged on 16 July.

An independent report by JBA Consulting revealed that, as of February, the drain was still at high risk of flooding.

They said the poor design of debris screens at the mouth of some culverts reduced the capacity of streams in the area, making flooding worse.