MP for Dumfries and Galloway Richard Arkless has today called on the council to review its plans following flooding in the Whitesands area of Dumfries over the weekend.
A major emergency was declared across Dumfries and Galloway on Saturday 5th December when the river Nith became one of several in the region to burst its banks following torrential rainfall brought in by Storm Desmond.
Councillors have recently approved a multi million pound flood protection and regeneration scheme for the Whitesands area which would see a raised walkway erected alongside one bank of the river.
Commenting, Mr Arkless said:
“I’ve spoken to many residents and business owners in the Whitesands area who have been affected by this and many previous floods. The resilience of everyone who is living with this flooding problem is staggering but understandably every single time the Nith floods there is a huge emotional and economic cost to all of the Whitesands residents.”
“I think what is needed now is for the council to look again at the current plans and asses whether they would have withstood this weekends events. Many of the residents I have spoken to today are asking what effect the raised walkway plans would have had on this most recent flooding scenario with many fearing that the water would simply flood on the other side of the bank.”
Mr Arkless, who cancelled his Parliamentary duties for Monday in order to speak to the residents and business owners affected by this flood continued:
“I’d like to thank the local police and emergency services across Dumfries and Galloway who dealt with the flooding events across our region with such expertise. Thanks to their professionalism and swift actions at the weekend our roads were kept accident free despite the appalling weather conditions.”
“The Nith has now receded and the mess has been cleaned up. Dumfries is open for business and the best way to help the local companies affected by the weekends flood is to shop locally and support them in the run up to Christmas.”
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