A floot-hit Perthshire community is in shock after being told the Scottish Government won’t pay towards a vital defence scheme.
Perth and Kinross Council fast-tracked plans for a £1 million flood defence scheme but the local authority didn’t meet required criteria to qualify for extra emergency funding.
Councillor Ann Cowan, one of the representatives for the Strathearn ward, said she was “worried for the future of Comrie”.
More than 200 householders in the village had to evacuate their properties and 150 homes were flooded in Dalginross, Bank Road, Glebe Road and Duke Road after the Water of Ruchill burst its banks.
Filthy water flowed into their houses and cascaded through the streets on November 19 last year.
Scores of stricken residents sought refuge at White Church with others being taken to a rest centre at Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff.
The Water of Ruchill previously burst its banks on August 27 with torrents cascading into Camp Road, Barrack Road, Tay Place and Tay Avenue. Comrie fire station had to provide around 1,000 sandbags.
Ms Cowan said she was “totally shocked” by the Scottish Government’s refusal to give money from the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities.