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Village flood defences questioned Village flood defences questioned
(about 1 hour later)
Residents in a Perth and Kinross village have questioned why a new flood prevention scheme in the area failed its first proper test. Angry residents in a Perth and Kinross village have questioned why a new flood prevention scheme in the area failed its first proper test.
At least 40 people had to leave their homes in Milnathort on Wednesday night after the River Queich burst its banks.At least 40 people had to leave their homes in Milnathort on Wednesday night after the River Queich burst its banks.
As the clear-up began, there were calls for an inquiry into the effectiveness of the £500,000 flood prevention scheme, completed three months ago. As the clear-up began, the designers of the £500,000 flood prevention scheme, completed three months ago, were called in to investigate the breaches.
Heavy rain caused flooding in many other areas of Scotland. Heavy rain has caused flooding in many other areas of Scotland.
Elsewhere, Emergency services launched a rescue to save about 20 people trapped in farmhouses near Port of Menteith in Stirlingshire.
The people, thought to include an 87-year-old woman with a heart condition, children and adults in wheelchairs, became stuck on the upper floors after the river Forth burst its banks, flooding acres of farmland.
No one was thought to be in danger.
In Milnathort, Tayside Fire and Rescue Service said it acted to deal with a "threat to life" and began a rescue operation as water surged into residents' homes.In Milnathort, Tayside Fire and Rescue Service said it acted to deal with a "threat to life" and began a rescue operation as water surged into residents' homes.
Many more were forced out later as power was cut to the central part of the village.Many more were forced out later as power was cut to the central part of the village.
As the flood water receded on Thursday morning, local people questioned the ability of the village flood defence scheme, built following floods in the area 13 years ago, to cope with future problems.As the flood water receded on Thursday morning, local people questioned the ability of the village flood defence scheme, built following floods in the area 13 years ago, to cope with future problems.
'Sigh of relief' These flood defence schemes should be working Rhona BrankinDeputy Environment Minister
Councillor Willie Robertson said the flooding had a "traumatic" effect on the village. Perth and Kinross Council said the scheme's designers were assisting the post-flood investigation, but added that it would be premature to speculate on the cause.
Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin said she would seek information from local authorities on the effectiveness of flood prevention schemes in Scotland.
Councillor Willie Robertson said the flooding had a "traumatic" effect on Milnathort.
He said: "In a community like this, threat of flooding is always at the back of your mind and when the flood prevention scheme went in this summer, people breathed a sigh of relief."He said: "In a community like this, threat of flooding is always at the back of your mind and when the flood prevention scheme went in this summer, people breathed a sigh of relief."
However, added: "The paint is not even dry on this job and it's not done the job it's been intended to."However, added: "The paint is not even dry on this job and it's not done the job it's been intended to."
Mr Robertson said there would now have to be a serious investigation into why the scheme, constructed by an outside contractor on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, had "patently failed". Mr Robertson said there would now have to be a serious investigation into why the scheme had "patently failed".
"We should be taking the goods back to the shop and saying 'this doesn't work'," he told BBC Scotland."We should be taking the goods back to the shop and saying 'this doesn't work'," he told BBC Scotland.
Continuing review
Resident Liz Campbell said work on the scheme had caused weeks of disruption in the village, including the closure of the car park.Resident Liz Campbell said work on the scheme had caused weeks of disruption in the village, including the closure of the car park.
"They spent loads of money and it hasn't done any good," she said."They spent loads of money and it hasn't done any good," she said.
Ms Brankin said the Scottish Executive, which provides 80% of the funding for flood prevention schemes, said the situation would be kept under review.
She said: "These flood defence schemes should be working. Having said that, this has been a very exceptional night."
"My understanding is that there should be no need to review these schemes, but in the light of what's happened, clearly we'll look at all the information."
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