Dingwall residents turned out last night to air concerns over the impact of flash flooding.
Torrential rainfall has had a devastating impact on parts of the community in recent weeks, with flash flooding sweeping through the town in July – when a month’s rain fell in a matter of hours – and again in August.
During Highland Council’s meeting at Dingwall Academy, representatives from SEPA, Scottish Water, The Scottish Flood Forum and the council listened to the concerns of local residents, as part of ongoing efforts to create a strategy for the future.
One of the main concerns throughout the evening was the lack of maintenance undertaken by the council across the area, particularly in clearing drains.
Council representatives said there were finite resources but they would learn lessons from the recent incidents to plot the way forward.
Residents were also told there were only three “gully suckers” in use across the whole of the Highlands, limiting resources to around 140 days of operation a year.
Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson said: “We have got to prioritise our resources because what you have heard tonight is that this was a totally unexpected and abnormal event.
“We have to be honest with the public about the challenging financial times that we face. The pressure is not just on local government, it’s on national government.
“We are being fair and transparent with people and we have identified a number of lessons learned and I think that is the key.
“I am pleased that we are developing a more constructive approach moving forward and people are beginning to understand the context in which the council is working.”
Councillor Margaret Paterson said: “The lack of resources, it just breaks my heart.
“At a time like this, when there is flooding, we need to have those resources.
“Losing your home must be one of the worst things that can happen.
“And it is more than just your home. It is your possessions, your memories, photos that can never replaced.
“And when you are also living in fear that it could happen again, then that is dreadful.”
The councillor added: “In one way the meeting was very good because I think we can share our heartbreak.
“People need to feel someone cares. That is really important.
“A report will go to committee and we just have to fight our corner to make sure we get extra funding so that there is help there if this happens again.”