NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 19 November 2009 SEPA: RIVER FLOWS IN TAYSIDE ARE “DEFINITELY INCREASING” Evidence from SEPA proves that the annual mean river flows in Tayside are “definitely increasing” and Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the SNP Government to act on the findings to ensure that appropriate flood defence and prevention measures are put in place. A joint initiative between SEPA and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute has resulted in the publication of a Water Quality Atlas for Scottish rivers. The Atlas maps out Scotland’s annual mean rivers flows and shows that they are increasing in several parts of Scotland, including the Tayside basin area. The full findings and maps of annual mean river flows can be found at: http://www.sepa.org.uk/scotlands_environment/data_and_reports/water/scottish_river_water_quality.aspx Murdo Fraser believes that the evidence means that the SNP Government should take action to ensure that flood prevention schemes and improvements are undertaken for communities such as Aberfeldy, Birnam, Bankfoot, Coupar Angus, Dalguise, Kenmore, Pitlochry and Scone in Perthshire and improvements for Kirriemuir and Brechin in Angus. Commenting, Murdo said: “Evidence from SEPA has proven that several parts of Scotland are seeing trends of increasing river flows. Tayside is one of few areas of Scotland where it has been established that the annual mean river flow is definitely increasing and this means that we in Angus and Perthshire are at a greater risk of flooding. “It is clear that the risk of flooding in Tayside is an extremely important issue and the SNP Government must undertake a National Flooding Review urgently. This evidence of increased river flows in Tayside proves that Angus and Perthshire should be a priority area for new or improved flood prevention schemes. “Households, farmland and businesses in Angus and Perthshire are now at threat to flooding on a much more regular basis and the SNP Government must act to try and reduce or prevent flooding to affect homes and businesses. “The Tay and its tributaries cover a massive area and flooding in recent years has caused disruption and damage to a number of local communities. Perthshire communities such as Aberfeldy, Birnam, Bankfoot, Coupar Angus, Dalguise, Kenmore, Pitlochry and Scone and Brechin and Kirriemuir in Angus need to know what action is being taken to protect their homes, farmlands and businesses.” ENDS   back to top of page