19 July 2016
FM @NicolaSturgeon announces flood protection for 10,000 homes & revisits local businesses affected by floodinghttps://t.co/xonfxc4z8t
— Scottish Government (@scotgov) July 18, 2016
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon revisited a community hit by Storm Frank to confirm £420 million will be spent over the next decade on flood protection schemes.
Homes and businesses in Newtown Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway were hit by floods following the storm at the end of 2015 and into January this year.
Nicola Sturgeon visits those affected by Storm Frank in Newton Stewart https://t.co/UQ2lpBoaT6 pic.twitter.com/AM3TOmvCxU
— STV News (@STVNews) December 31, 2015
The First Minister went to the town to revisit business owners and see how the community has rallied round to get the town back on its feet.
And while there, she announced the first ever long term funding strategy by the Scottish Government and COSLA for reducing flood risk for 10,00 homes across the country.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is in Newton Stewart catching up with flood hit residents 200 days after #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/LsMVzHzQPz
— Natalie Crawford (@NatWithTheNews) July 18, 2016
FM @NicolaSturgeon: flood protection for 10,000 homes in £42m per year plan over next decade https://t.co/w0ehrH6IYd pic.twitter.com/vpiNGmxaM4
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) July 18, 2016
The £420 million will be used to deliver 40 new flood protection projects and support local flood risk management plans. The First Minister said:
“Earlier this year I saw first-hand the devastating effects of mother nature as storms battered our communities.
“Seven months on and the community have rallied round and businesses are getting back on their feet and returning to normal. However, the implications of the storm will be felt for a while yet and we need to work together to minimise any potential future disruption.
“This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.”
The strategy will be delivered in partnership with the Scottish Government and COSLA – Councillor Stephen Hagan is the body’s spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability and added:
“Protecting communities is at the heart of what local government does and is the reason why local government has committed this substantial resource for flood protection.
“Climate change, and the associated increase in flooding events, poses a significant national risk. This is why investment in flood protection schemes and associated infrastructure is critical to protecting vulnerable householders, businesses and communities, and why the strong working relationship between local and Scottish Government is so important.”