Wishart and Fairlie issue statements following public flood meeting

Published date : 14 July, 2023

News Release from Pete Wishart MP & Jim Fairlie MSP

Attn: News Desk For immediate release 14 July 2023

Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire and Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South Kinross-shire, have issued statements following the public flood meeting they held in at Craigie Church Hall in Perth this afternoon.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“Too many residents IN Perth are living in a perpetual state of fear over the next major flood event happening, whilst having to fork up thousands of pounds worth of flooding damages at a time when they are already being battered by the cost-of-living crisis.

“Against this backdrop, it is vital that any flood defence investment proposals reflect the magnitude of this problem. What was made clear from the community at today’s meeting was that they believe the Craigie Burn Flood Study to be entirely insufficient. The overwhelming consensus was that the proposals need to be reconsidered entirely and a more wide-ranging, comprehensive plan needs to be brought forward.

“Residents also have many questions left unanswered when it comes to the study, which is why I was so disappointed that all of the stakeholders that were invited – Perth and Kinross Council, SEPA, Scottish Water and the Scottish Flood Forum – did not attend. However, we now have a note of people’s concerns and questions and will be raising these with the relevant stakeholders as a matter of utmost priority.”

Also commenting, Mr Fairlie said:

“I was pleased to be able to follow up on our earlier meeting with residents impacted by the flooding from Craigie Burn. It is clear from residents that they are not content with the proposals from Perth and Kinross Council and that they expect much more to be done.

“I would like to thank Janice Haig from Perth Community Flood Aid for her contributions and I remain disappointed that no-body from Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Water or SEPA were available. I will work alongside Pete Wishart to ensure that the points raised by residents are heard by those who need to hear them.”

-ENDS-

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