Summit to study Fife's response to major incident after devastating floods

Councillors and officers are set host a review of the devastating floods which led to Fife declaring a major incident last month.

It has been called by Neil Crooks, who convenes Kirkcaldy’s area committee, to look at the major challenges the torrential rainfall brought - and the damage it caused to householders and businesses.

Several parts of Kirkcaldy bore the brunt of major floods with residents in the Valley area accommodated overnight at Beveridge Park Hotel after their homes were badly hit. The Links area was also badly hit, while businesses in the town were again flooded out.

At Kinghorn, a landslide triggered a major emergency response to rescue people from Pettycur Bay holiday park, while roads around Burntisland were submerged, leaving the town all but blocked off.

Parts of Cardenden faced a major clear-up operation, and repair bills running into thousands of £s after the Den Burn overflowed.

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Cllr Crooks (Kirkcaldy North, Lab) set the meeting up to share knowledge - and pinpoint any future actions.

All councillors from the area committee have been invited to participate in Friday’s online meeting.

Cllr Crooks believes that, ultimately, there has to be a national response for funding solutions as significant downpours become more frequent and devastating.

He said: “ Its critical given the extent of the flooding impact that we get a chance to share experiences and then inform the Fife response.

" It was the longest consistent rainfall anyone I know can remember in their lifetime, and I appreciate no Government or local authority can provide resources to eliminate that public threat.

" However we need to consider how to minimise or mitigate these flooding incidents and scrutinise emergency planning activity and implementation.”

He said budget cuts “really hit home” when there was a major situation, adding: “The Scottish Government has stripped £200m out of Fife's budget over a 10 year period, and over 2000 jobs have been cut many of which would have been first responders in a major incident.

" Burntisland appeared to have been completely cut off to road traffic, new flooding investment at the Tiel Burn at Bridge Street did not cope, Valley Gardens and Links areas were under water not for the first time and High Street businesses were flooded.

“No-one lost their life thankfully, but cars floating in Victoria Hospital car parks, caravans slipping down hillsides at the Bay, tenants and residents having to be re housed, and insurance companies hiding behind Act of God clauses all need analysis and intervention. “

He also paid tribute to everyone who pulled together as the rain fell.

He added: “There are so many people to thank for going the extra mile for their neighbours and community, and so many council staff and councillors who were out there with those in need before and after their normal working hours.

“There are concerns about the future and there are challenges to be addressed. Friday’s meeting will bring some clarity to our local next steps."

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