Cardenden floods: People want solutions, not sympathy says MSP

The risk of flooding in Cardenden has been raised with Scotland’s environment minister in a bid to avoid a repeat of the devastating scenes of last month.

Alex Rowley MSP has written to Roseanne Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for environment, climate change and land reform to discuss the increased risk facing householders - and the need for financial investment.

He wants a meeting to discuss the need for funding for a flooding prevention scheme - and he wants local people at it.

Mr Rowley (Mid Scotland and Fife) said last month’s floods had a dreadful impact on many householders. Some residents did not have insurance - or it did not cover the damage.

In his letter, Mr Rowley addressed the devastating impact, stating: "I have to say it was quite heart breaking but the residents have made it clear they do not want politicians' sympathy - they want politicians to bring forward solutions that will remove the threat of it happening again."

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A report from Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) found that CArdenden, Kinglassie, Cowdenbeath and Glenrothes are within high flood risks.

The national agency has also identified 210 residential properties and 150 non-residential properties at risk of flooding in Kinross, Milnathort, Glenrothes and Kinglassie with £1.2 million in annual average damages.

SEPA has outlined areas for action such as carrying out a flood protection study and repair works with Fife Council to prevent future flooding in these areas.

Mr Rowley said that although it was good that these areas were identified, SEPA 'seriously underestimates' the level of risk in the Cardenden area.

He highlighted issues such as replacing the bridge at Den Burn - a move he and Fife Council described as 'essential.'

He said: "There is nothing being spent on Fife and there is very little planned despite the major issues we have.

"Central Fife towns and villages were built with old mining works underneath, and this also adds to the water problems we have and are going to have. We do not need sympathy from politicians - we need action."

> Hannah Brown is the Local Democracy Reporter for Fife & Angus

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