Scottish flood defence projects are overbudget and years behind schedule

Scottish Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson Beatrice Wishart MSP has today hit out at the Scottish Government as she revealed that of the 42 flood protection schemes identified for delivery between 2015 and 2021, only 15 have been completed. Five of the schemes are currently under construction and a further 18 are still at the confirmation or development stage.   

Figures revealed through parliamentary questions also show major cost overruns in almost every project including: 

• Grangemouth increasing from £111.5m to £420m.  
• Musselburgh increasing from £8.9m to £97.9m  
• Hawick increasing from £37.4m to £78.6m. 
• Stirling increasing from £26.2m to £85.6m. 
• Millport Coastal increasing from £12.1m to £48.6m. 

It is estimated that 284,000 homes and premises are already at risk of flooding in Scotland, with an additional 110,000 properties at risk by 2080. 

In October, hundreds of homes in Brechin had to be evacuated due to flood defences being breached during Storm Babet and many residents are still displaced due to the extent of damage to their properties.

Ms Wishart said: 

“Storm Babet battered Brechin and across Scotland communities are facing the devastating impact of major weather events. These figures show that the Scottish Government is all at sea when it comes to building up our flood defences.  

“When it comes to major storms, an ounce of prevention can be worth a pound of cure but dozens of prospective projects are unfinished and the costs are also going through the roof.  

“The Scottish Government needs to get a handle on these projects before they run out of all control.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have consistently called for a new Climate Emergency Communities Fund with the clear objective of upgrading Scotland’s homes, businesses and infrastructure to cope with the impact of the climate emergency. We want to make sure that local authorities have the resources they need to protect our communities and ensure that these projects are delivered.”