Delay to Falkirk flooding scheme 'could put Freeport investment at risk'

Any delay to a vital flood protection scheme for Grangemouth could put investment in the new Forth Green Freeport at risk, local councillors have warned.

The leader of the Falkirk Conservative group, Baillie James Kerr has now written to ask the UK Government to step in with financial help for the scheme, which has an estimated cost of between £450 million and £672 million.

The original agreement was that Falkirk Council should pay 20 per cent of the costs of the project, but with an upper cost estimate of £672 million, even that is simply unaffordable for the council.

In the letter, written by Baillie Kerr and the group’s economic development spokesperson, Cllr James Bundy, they say that a major flood would have devastating economic consequences.

It says: “Recent headlines have highlighted the scale of economic consequences Scotland faces with the potential closure of the Grangemouth refinery.

“We believe that a major flood would be worst than these horrifying predictions. Not only would the refinery be impacted, but the surrounding businesses, often involved in manufacturing and innovation, and households would be impacted too.

Councillor James Kerr, leader of Falkirk Council Conservative group

“A major flood also has the potential to undermine existing UK Government investment in Grangemouth.

“The Firth of Forth Freeport has the potential to breath new life into the Grangemouth and Scottish economy. The economic consequences of a major flood, however, puts all this potential at risk.”

The letter adds: “These delays not only push up the cost of construction, but increase the risk of economic damage Grangemouth and surrounding areas face.”

The Conservative group says that while flooding is a devolved area they “do not want the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme to be debated through the lens of the constitution”.

In their plea, they tell the minister that direct funding would be “proactive action to protect Scotland’s economy, and to protect UK Government investments already being made in the area”.

The SNP leader of Falkirk Council, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, said that she was pleased to see colleagues from across the council “have taken an interest in this matter”, which was discussed by the council’s Executive this week.

Falkirk Council leader Cecil Meiklejohn

She said: “As Leader I have used any and every opportunity to present the case to both Scottish and UK governments, over the past year or more, as to the importance of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, and the rising costs making the situation unaffordable for the council to bear alone.

“While this letter was promised at the Executive meeting, which follows my conversations with John Lamont MP some months ago, from which I am yet to hear anything back, I’ll be interested to see what progress can be made.

“I’ve been clear for some time that this will require a multi-level approach where all partners, government, and industry, have a role to play and I look forward to this progressing as quickly as possible.”

The Labour group leader, Councillor Anne Hannah, said: “The Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme is the largest flood defence project in Scotland and one of the biggest in the United Kingdom, protecting communities in Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore and Camelon (Stirling Road).

Councillor Anne Hannah, new leader of Falkirk Council’s Labour group

“While the biggest impact of flooding would be on these areas, there would be significant economic impact for the whole of Scotland, and the United Kingdom.

“That being the case the Scottish and UK Governments need to work together to find a funding model that will deliver implementation of the scheme.

“Falkirk Council has received reduced Scottish Government funding in real terms every year since 2007. The Council, and the local population, should not be expected to fund even 20 per cent of the costs.

“Every year this Scheme is delayed will add to the cost. Action is needed now. While I am not optimistic, I sincerely hope the local Conservatives’ letter can get the support of the UK Government and get some movement on this project.”