The country’s main water authority has denied sole responsibility for flooding that has blighted a residential area of Perth.
Residents were recently told by the council that there is no engineering solution that can solve the recurring problem of flash floods in Bridgend.
Perth and Kinross Council said it looked into a possible drainage scheme that would have cost in the region of £250,000 but decided not to proceed due to the “topography” of the area.
Tony Ramsay, of Cross Keys, Bridgend, whose home sits by the river Tay, told The Courier he feels the majority of the problem lies with Perth’s ageing sewer system and claimed Scottish Water could do more to help.
“Following the flooding in 2011, meetings were arranged with Scottish Water,” he said. “However, they failed to turn up at the time and nothing was done. It appalls me that gas and electricity services have to act when flooding happens but there is no requirement on Scottish Water.
“The sewers around here are around 103 years old and problems are caused because they are positioned at a very low gradient. Another part of the problem is there are four roads here that meet at a sump but there is inadequate drainage.”
Councillor Peter Barrett, one of the Perth City Centre representatives, added: “We were advised there was no guarantee that the proposed new system would cope with the level of water which caused the previous severe flood damage at Bridgend and £250,000 may have been a best-case scenario. I am keen that the council provides support and assistance to local businesses.”
A Scottish Water spokesman attributed part of the problem to Bridgend being located on the banks of the Tay, at the bottom of a hill, and “below the street level” of surrounding buildings.
“These three factors mean that when the river floods it will completely overload all drainage in the area, regardless of the size of the sewer infrastructure,” he said.
“Scottish Water is working with key partners to reduce the impact of flooding. The responsibilities surrounding flooding are varied and, at present, a number of agencies have responsibility for dealing with different aspects of flooding in Scotland.
“Conventional urban drainage systems are made up of a complex network of sewer pipes, overflows, gullies, burns and culverts. Ownership and duties are split between various agencies and landowners.
“Local authorities are responsible for the drainage of local roads and public highways. The local authorities are responsible for dealing with tidal and river flooding and flooding caused by extreme rainfall. The complex nature of flooding means a partnership approach is needed to tackle this serious problem.”