Flood-victim appeals for drainage fix

Oct 8 2010 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A PERTH resident yesterday expressed doubts about a new £750,000 flood-prevention scheme’s ability to protect his home – claiming the Fair City’s drainage infrastructure is a serious problem.

Mike Rogalski, who lives on Feus Road, struggled to keep rising levels of water from his home during torrential rain storms that caused havoc in July and at the time demanded changes be made to avoid future disasters.

This week, the Scottish Government announced a collaborative project between the Aberdeen-based Met Office and the flood team at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Perth – due to begin in March.

The jointly-funded system aims to produce daily reports for emergency services and council officials to highlight potential flood risks.

“Overall this has to be a positive thing,” Mr Rogalski said yesterday.

“I suppose every minute is vital and it is good to know that people will be on hand to help but it can’t stop the flooding.

“The problem is not so much the co-ordination, it is with the basic drainage.

“Crieff Road has had the same sewage system for 100 years but the number of buildings has increased dramatically.”

Mr Rogalski, who recently spent £1500 on his own flood-defence barrier, explained that the problems have been ongoing for around eight years because “antiquated” drains have remained in place.

“I feel that we are listened to at first but then no-one acts on what we are saying,” he continued.

“If the problem was sorted, the water would go down the drain – at the moment the drains aren’t doing their job.”

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said: “I have pursued the question of the flooding in Feus Road through a number of channels both with Perth and Kinross Council and SEPA since the incident happened.

“I know that matters are ongoing and if Mr Rogalski would like to get in touch with my office directly on this issue we can keep him informed as to the progress.

“I understand that a flooding information newsletter is being circulated to residents and that a public meeting was held this week.

“Hopefully that will have addressed many of the concerns that people have.”

Ms Cunningham described the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service as “a vital tool in the battle against flooding”.

“It will help provide the relevant authorities with better, earlier information,” she said.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith also welcomed the scheme, but acknowledged that drainage concerns were being felt by residents in both Perth and its surrounding area.

“Local people also want to see practical steps taken to address flooding issues,” she said. “Many residents have told me that part of the flooding difficulties which have hit Kinross and Milnathort were as a result of drains not functioning or backing up.

“This is a situation which the council must make sure is addressed on a permanent basis.”