Flood defence projects overbudget and years behind schedule

Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie MSP has said the SNP Government have let down at-risk communities after it was announced that less than half of flood defence schemes due by 2021 have been completed.

Figures show that of the 42 flood protection schemes originally due to be delivered between 2015 and 2021, only 16 have been completed. This represents just one more completed scheme since the same time last year.

The figures also show that four schemes are currently under construction, while a further 11 are still at the confirmation or development stages.

There are major cost overruns in almost every project, including:

• Musselburgh increasing from £8.9m to £95.9m.
• Millport Coastal increasing from £12.1m to £48.6m.
• Comrie increasing from £15.7m to £40.0m.
• Dumfries Whitesands, increasing from £18.9m to £37.5m.
• South Kinross, increasing from £3.2m to £15.1m.

According to SEPA, an estimated 284,000 homes, businesses and services are at risk of flooding, with the number projected to increase by around 110,000 by the 2080s.

Mr Rennie said:

“There are communities across Scotland that look up at the sky with dread in the knowledge of what storms and heavy rain might bring. They have been let down because the SNP is all at sea when it comes to building our flood defences.

“Project after project is unfinished and costs are going through the roof. It simply won’t cut the mustard for the communities facing the devastation of extreme weather events and who fear losing their homes and businesses.

“When a major storm hits, an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure. The government must finally get a handle on these projects before they run out of all control.”