Fife politicians call for more flood risk funding from Scottish Government

MPs and MSPs have joined SNP councillors across the region who have written to the Scottish Government following the publication of their draft Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 – 2025-26.

The draft plan says the government wants to increase spending on flood risk management from £42 million provided annually to councils to £150 million.

In the letter signed by thirteen councillors, three MPs and two MSPs, the representatives highlight the significant damage caused across the region in August during the unprecedented storm, and have said that they “welcome the planned investment from the Scottish Government for flood defence, and [they] urge [the Scottish Government] to make Fife a priority when allocating these funds.”

Commenting, Julie Ford, councillor for Glenrothes West and Kinglassie, said: “In August, we saw communities devastated, homes ransacked, and cars written off because of flooding. This isn’t the first time that our communities have been hit, but it was without a doubt the worst.

“I welcome this draft plan from the Scottish Government, which sees a potential commitment to increase flood defence spending by 3.5 times the current amount. And I am asking that Fife is made a priority when allocating these funds given the significant damage and trauma caused to residents in recent months.”

Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP, Neale Hanvey added: “It may have been an unprecedented storm, but once is enough – we must act. While it’s encouraging to see the Scottish Government recognise the need for action with the proposed increase in flood investment, that money now needs to find its way to Fife.

“People in my constituency and across Fife have lived with the risk of serious flooding for too long. As a coastal region that was clearly the worst hit during the recent storm, Fife must see a significant share of the proposed increase in investment.”