Photo credit: Chris Gallagher
The Scottish government has launched a £15 million fund to strengthen flood resilience in the communities most at risk. The money, announced on 2 August, will go to local groups, communities and councils to improve their preparedness, and is intended to complement Scotland’s wider Flood Resilience Strategy.
Where the money goes
The fund will support sustainable drainage, including natural features such as green spaces and planting, to reduce flood risk and future-proof existing infrastructure. Coastal communities are a particular focus, with backing for schemes to replenish sand dunes and cut flood risk in towns such as Montrose. Additional help will be available for communities recovering from recent flooding.
Two further strands sit alongside the grants. Public Health Scotland will develop an interactive tool combining flood risk data with population and demographic data, to identify the communities and groups most exposed in future. And a new Flood Advisory Service will help local authorities deliver major flood protection schemes more efficiently, aiming to cut delays and improve value for public money.
The wider strategy
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action Gillian Martin said climate change was driving increasing flood risk globally and that Scotland was not immune, describing the package as targeting support where it is needed most. The investment delivers on a Scottish government commitment to invest in flood mitigation and prevention within its first 100 days.
The funding runs over three years. After preparatory work this year, money for local projects will become available from next year, with further detail to be set out in a forthcoming Flood Resilience Strategy Implementation Plan.
Sources: