Freuchie Flood Action Group

Today saw the official launch of the Scottish Flood Forum by Mr Mike Russell MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for the Environment. Also in attendance  at the launch event held in Broxburn were representatives from the National Flood Forum, Scottish Government, West Lothian Council, SEPA and our very own Neil Duff and John Thomson from Freuchie Flood Action Group.

Before the official launch announcement, Freuchie Flood Action Group Chairman John Thomson persuaded Mr Mike Russell MSP to spend a few moments discussing flooding, the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill that is currently going through the Scottish Parliament. We’ve managed to splice together a little video of this impromptu interview and hope our amateur videographer standards meet the expectation of the Minister, who is a professional film maker. A big thank you to the Minister for being so accommodating and for being such a star in front of the camera.

High quality BLIP TV version…

The formal part of the day began with Mr Mike Russell MSP announcing funding over the next three years from the Scottish Government for the Scottish Flood Forum. He went on to state that Mr Paul Hendy will work with Local Authorities, SEPA and communities at risk from flooding with a view to flood prevention, flood risk assessment and assisting communities in the aftermath of flooding. Further, Mr Russell stated that flooding issues were the responsibility of SEPA for Flood Warning and Flood Risk Awareness notification and the Local Authority for Flood Defence.

Following on from the Minister’s opening speech, Mr Phil Awford, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National Flood Forum, and Mr Paul Hendy, newly appointed Director of the Scottish Flood Forum, both made short speeches where they welcomed the Scottish Government funding that has made the Scottish Flood Forum a reality. They went on to provide some background to the scope of the project and how they hoped to improve flood support in Scotland.

Photo (Left to right): Paul Hendy, Phil Awford and Mike Russell MSP

It was heartening to listen to all of the speakers making reference to the effect flooding has on those affected, a point that clearly demonstrates a depth of understanding about flooding being much more than the material damage to property.

The official press release for the launch event:

News Release

November 10, 2008

NEW FORUM TO HELP TACKLE THE THREAT OF FLOODING

A new forum to support individuals to protect themselves against flooding was launched today by the Environment Minister.

The Scottish Flood Forum – funded by the Government, set up by the National Flood Forum and supported by SEPA – will raise awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures, while providing an independent voice for flood victims.

Launching the forum in Broxburn, West Lothian which was hit by flash flooding due to heavy rain this summer, Michael Russell said:"The new Scottish Flood Forum aims to give people practical advice which we can all heed to help protect ourselves against flooding, by raising awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures. "It is increasingly important to raise awareness of flooding in this way, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come. "Flooding is highly distressing for its victims and the forum will also play an important role in providing an independent voice for those affected by flooding or at high risk from its devastating impact.

"By investing £180,000 in this forum, we aim to provide the means to help people identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to protect our environment, our people and our economy."Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum Mary Dhonau, who has also been a victim of flooding, said: "It has always been our ambition to open a branch in Scotland and to give the much needed and necessary support to people at risk of flooding in Scotland. We are delighted that Scottish Government has recognised the valuable work we do and is supporting us financially to enable us to work with and support both the victims and those at risk of flooding in Scotland." SEPA Flood Unit Manager, David Faichney added:"SEPA welcomes the introduction of the National Flood Forum to Scotland and we look forward to working with them to help support Scotland’s flood risk communities."NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY – Monday November 10

13.30 – Minister for Environment, Mr Russell will meet local residents of Burnside Action Group affected by flooding at 14 Newhouses Road, Burnside, Broxburn, West Lothian followed by visit to Burnvale to see flood damage.

1.The National Flood Forum was set up in England and Wales in 2002, following the floods of 2000. The forum provides support and advice to communities and individuals who have been flooded or are at risk of being flooded. It is run by people who have had first hand experience of the trauma, loss and frustration of being flooded or have first hand experience of supporting the victims of flooding, both during and after the event.

2. The establishment of the National Flood Forum in Scotland follows a recommendation from the Flooding Issues Advisory Committee in 2007. Supported by SEPA, the Scottish Flood Forum will help establish a network of community-based groups in areas at high risk of flooding.

3. Scottish Government has agreed funding over the next three years;2008/09 – £23,500 (six months) plus £7,000 start up costs for SEPA 2009/10 – £50,0002010/11 – £70,0002011/12 – £36,000 (six months)

4. The forum will also promote a more sustainable approach to flood risk management through awareness, avoidance, alleviation and assistance. A commitment to sustainable flood risk management is a key element of the new Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament. The Bill was introduced in September.

For more information go to:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/15-FloodRisk/index.htm

Freuchie Flood Action Group welcomes the launch of the Scottish Flood Forum and more especially the interest and support shown by the Scottish Government, SEPA, some local authorities, local and national politicians and other groups involved in flooding. We hope to see Fife Council becoming an active participant in the Scottish Flood Forum project as it expands its scope over the coming months.

Photo: Neil Duff (left) and John Thomson (right) of Freuchie Flood Action Group meet Mike Russell MSP, Minister for the Environment  

Thanks go out to Mr Paul Hendy for the invitation along to today’s launch and to everyone involved in the logistics and organisation of this successful event.

We must also give special mention to the Minister and other officials from the Scottish Government, all of whom spent time listening to the flooding plight of Freuchie and then went on to offer advice and guidance.

The residents of Freuchie look forward to welcoming the Minister and government officials to Freuchie in the new year.

Technorati Tags: blip.TV, Fife, Fife Council, Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill, flooding, Freuchie, Freuchie Flood Action Group, Lothian Council, Mike Russell MSP, National Flood Forum, Paul Hendy, Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Government, SEPA, YouTube

Last week saw a couple of important meetings taking place between interested stakeholders in the recent flooding that affected various areas within Freuchie on the 13th August 2008. The previous meeting held on the 27th August was less than satisfactory for residents affected by the flooding, but it appeared that progress has been made in the intervening weeks.

On the evening of Tuesday 6th October, Kingdom Housing met with residents of Freuchie Mill to present their analysis and proposals for the area most devastated in the August flood event. Gordon Bayne, MD of Scott Bennett Associates, put forward a number of schemes to reduce the likelihood of future flooding, but could not rule out the prospect of future flood events occurring regardless of any flood prevention and protection work done. The estimated costs for these schemes range from £50,000 to £350,000 and may take as long as three years to be put in place.

The following evening, Freuchie Community Council hosted another public meeting with representatives from Fife Council and Kingdom Housing being joined on the evening by Gordon Bayne, local councillors and another good turnout from Freuchie residents. Presentations and updates were made by Fife Council, Kingdom Housing and Freuchie Flood Action Group with varied measures of progress being demonstrated by each of the presenters.

Highlight of the evening was from Jim Mullen, Vice Chair of Freuchie Flood Action, who presented alarming rainfall data from SEPA’s Newton of Falkland collection station that graphically showed increasing annual rainfall and lessening fair weather days since records began in 2000. The data supports the supposition that should current rainfall trends continue, we can expect an ever increasing risk of future flooding. The objective for all concerned must be to eradicate the future risk by addressing the root causes of flooding and not simply by responding to the symptoms of it. The action to address the root causes should investigate and support three areas;

1. Better dispersion of water at the A912 as it comes of the hill.

2. Control measures to regulate the flow of water from the A912 and at the New Inn Areas before it enters the village.

3. Support for residents to better protect their homes in the short term.

Freuchie Flood Action Group welcomes the increased collaboration and cooperation between the interested parties, and thanks Fife Council for their assistance and support. The generous offer from Network Rail to assist in the funding of a full hydrology study is recognised as being a significant act of a good neighbour. The whole community hopes this offer of funding will result in a swift commissioning of the study and speed along the completion of this vital report. There is still a long road to travel with further cooperation and closer collaboration required from all stakeholders. Freuchie Flood Action Group estimates the potential costs of a full and proper flood prevention and protection scheme to be in the region of £1m, which is an achievable and realistic funding target.

The group also welcomes the funding allocated from the Scottish Government that allows the National Flood Forum to employ a full time member of staff to work exclusively in Scotland. We look forward to working closely with Paul Hendy of the Scottish Flood Forum over the coming months. The assistance and experience offered by Paul and the National Flood Forum will be invaluable in the group’s future direction, lobbying of politicians at all levels of government and in reaching the ultimate goal of a flood solution for Freuchie.

Technorati Tags: Fife, Fife Council, flood, Freuchie, Freuchie Community Council, Freuchie Flood Action Group. Kingdom Housing, National Flood Forum, Paul Hendy, Scottish Flood Forum, Scottish Government