Alyth flood evacuees to return home for Christmas

Tenants left homeless by flash floods in the Perthshire town of Alyth in July will be back in their homes by Christmas.

Flooding in Alyth led to hundreds of people being evacuated in July. Picture: Getty

Council chiefs say flats worst hit when the Alyth burn burst its banks are now ready to be re-occupied.

The devastation led to hundreds of people being evacuated and left many residents stranded in their homes.

Springbank was one of the hardest hit areas of Alyth with the spectacle of parked cars piled on each other as water cascaded through the town. In addition, many homes in that part of the town suffered a deluge of filthy water, measuring almost a metre deep.

Councillor Ian Miller, leader of Perth and Kinross Council said: “I’m sure that getting back home in time for Christmas is the best possible present that residents could ask for.”

On Friday, 17 July torrential downpours resulted in the worst flood to hit Alyth in 140 years.

The Alyth burn overflowed with debris and fallen trees blocking several bridges.

“We have been working flat out to restore as many as possible of the flooded council properties in Springbank Road to occupational standard,” said Mr Miller.

“We have also taken the opportunity to install some safety features which will help to prevent such serious damage should any future flooding take place in the area.”

The painstaking work has included using dehumidifiers 24 hours a day in affected council houses and removing debris, stripping out floors, damp proofing, concreting new floors, replacing insulation and flooring and refitting bathrooms.

Mr Miller continued: “New solums and closing vents will mean that any further damage will be limited. Out of 19 properties that were badly flooded we now have nine completed, a further three are unoccupied and four are in progress and soon to be complete.

“The remaining three will have work started on them after the holidays. This is at the request of tenants who asked, for various reasons, to delay repairs until then.”

Mr Miller said the repairs included electrical, plumbing, joinery, plastering, decorating and building work.