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Community plea over flood defences

Picture by SANDY McCOOK    28th December '16
Smithton and Culloden Community Council Chairman at the site of the proposed housing development on Tower Road where they have concerns over access.
Picture by SANDY McCOOK 28th December '16 Smithton and Culloden Community Council Chairman at the site of the proposed housing development on Tower Road where they have concerns over access.

A community leader is urging council chiefs not to let a flood alleviation scheme slip down their priority list for investment as they begin a fundamental review of their capital budget.

The local authority revealed last month that a five-year funding projection meant it could have to find almost £200million of savings – or alternative finances – in that period, and that it would mean some projects being shelved.

It could even mean delays to school building and refurbishment and roads improvements.

The Smithton and Culloden flood scheme has already been delayed.

Residents’ representatives say they have serious concerns for the district with many more homes about to be built as part of the Stratton development on the east side of the city.

Local community council chairman David McGrath said: “The council has already shelved the start date for the final phase of the flood alleviation programme by a year.

“Now, they’re talking about cuts in the capital spending programme and this could be an easy target.

“When council engineers were recently challenged on the issue, they couldn’t confirm a start date, saying ‘hopefully next year’ and denied that funding initially set aside for the purpose had been ring-fenced.

“Council officials actually told a public meeting at Culloden Academy a number of years ago the money was ring-fenced. They’re now denying that was ever said.”

He added: “I’d be horrified if this slips down the priority list within the capital programme because it’s vital for every individual in the area.”

Speaking yesterday, the council’s budget leader, Alister Mackinnon, responded: “No discussions regarding the capital programme or any projects contained therein have been held at this time.

“A full review will be undertaken shortly. We look forward to working with our communities on deciding our priorities.”

It emerged last week that Culloden resident Alex Nicol had been censured by Highland Council after confronting flood engineers about “slow progress” on the flood alleviation scheme.

He compared council staff with King Canute branding them “incompetent” after coming across them in the Lochlann area of Culloden last month. He claimed the scheme was 15 years overdue.

The council responded to the clash, saying its employees should be able to carry out their duties “without fear of violence, threats or abuse.”