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Consultation on future of flood risk management launched |
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Wednesday, 13 February 2008 |
Proposals to better protect homes and communities from
the threat of flooding were announced today by Environment Minister, Michael
Russell.
The consultation on the future of flood risk management in Scotland outlines plans to update legislation to help make the process for protecting at-risk areas quicker and simpler.
The proposals which will shape the new Flooding Bill are designed to introduce a more sustainable and modern approach to flood risk management, including the creation of a more joined up and streamlined process to avoid duplication, and to simplify and speed up the development and implementation of flood defences.
The framework for the Flooding Bill is the EC Floods Directive, which was formally adopted by the European Council in September 2007. The Scottish Government must transpose the Directive into Scots law by November 2009.
Launching the consultation at a flood prevention scheme in Galston, East Ayshire, Russell said: “The proposals will help deliver flood risk management for the 21st century, to better protect vulnerable communities from the increased risk of flooding.
“Climate change has seen flooding become an increasingly regular threat to communities around Scotland, and the outdated 1960s legislation we have at present is no longer fit to tackle this growing danger.
“The destruction flooding can cause is traumatic in terms of loss of property and devastating for those homes and businesses directly affected.
“By streamlining the flood risk management process, we aim to ensure that a modern and sustainable approach is in place across Scotland. This will help to simplify and speed up flood protection measures.
“This consultation is an opportunity for everyone to contribute on the way forward for flood risk management in Scotland. I am looking for views from members of the public, industry experts and local authorities to help inform the future Flooding Bill.”
Responding to the consultation, Labour's David Stewart MSP said:
"Labour welcomes the consultation looking at sustainable flood management systems for Scotland. Climate change is a serious challenge facing this generation and the next with homes, possessions and families being destroyed in recent years by severe flooding and rising sea levels.
"However there remains valid concerns about SNP moves to remove the central funding of flood prevention schemes. This could see at-risk communities without the vital funds they need to protect them from severe flooding.
"The SNP's budget removes the guaranteed funding that communities have been entitled to in previous years. Instead, local authorities are being told to find the cash from their general budgets. On top of the frozen revenues from council tax and the government's call for more efficiency savings, I worry that it will be householders across Scotland who will lose out when it rains.
"I hope that the consultation being launched today will consider the allocation of funds to local authorities as a key issue."
John Scott MSP, the Conservative's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & the Environment, said:
“The Government consultation on flooding is timeous. Emerging evidence of increasing rainfall and storminess, combined with increasing pressure on urban drainage systems, requires urgent action to be taken to protect Scotland’s communities and property.
“Rising sea levels, predicted to be up to 60cm this century, may lead to coastal flooding and erosion. Sustainable soft and hard engineering solutions will need to be found to deal with both river and coastal flooding.
“Legislation desperately requires updating, whilst a lead person or group must be identified to co-ordinate whole river catchment plans and coastal defence strategies.
“This piece of work is long overdue and must move forward swiftly.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 13 February 2008 )
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