Edzell villagers have received a firm assurance that the search for a solution to the community’s flood problems will not be ditched.
Despite an impassioned plea from householders affected by the devastating events of December 2012, which forced families from their homes two days before Christmas and led to an estimated £1 million worth of damage, councillors have voted against forging ahead with a relief pipe plan before all the technical options are examined.
But engineering officials have been charged with bringing a solutions report back before members by the autumn.
The Edzell issue was raised again at Thursday’s full meeting of Angus Council in Forfar following an earlier committee decision not to take up a businessman’s offer to put in a relief pipe to divert some of the Whishop Burn water directly to the North Esk.
Members earlier “politely declined” the deal that would see the pipe put in at around a quarter of the estimated total, with the authority paying back the £480,000 cost over a number of years.
Councillors made a site visit to see the culvert issues for themselves last week and although local member Bob Myles attempted to gain approval in principle for the relief pipe plan, critics said it was too soon to rush into a solution which may not be the best one.
“The third party agreement will not remain on the table for ever and this would be partnership working at its best,” Mr Myles said.
“I had a meeting with Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead and asked him what the possibility was for relief funding for rural flood events.
“He wouldn’t give a commitment, as you would expect, but what he did say is that if you don’t apply, then you don’t get it.
“We have just received a lot of money for the Brechin flood prevention scheme, but that was talked about and talked about, and the same is happening here.
“This has moved forward not one iota since this time last year and all we seem to be doing is talking about problems rather than solving them.”
Communities committee convener Donald Morrison said: “We just do not have the money to fund this pipe at this time and the site visit probably threw up more questions than answers in terms of the best solution.
“We need to make sure a decision is taken on needs and based on evidence.”
Council leader Iain Gaul said: “We seem to have focused on this pipe and it may not be the panacea, there are so many ways we could look at dealing with this.”
Communities strategic director Alan McKeown told councillors his department is aiming to bring back a full report on the issue and options by the autumn.