ALEX Rowley fears that homes in a Ballingry Street could be seriously affected by persistent intrusion by water running off Benarty Hill.

The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife joined Councillor Mary Lockhart on Friday evening to meet residents in Kirktoun Park to discuss their 'ever present fear of flooding'.

The recent heavy downpours has made the matter more urgent as some residents have found water running through their gardens, coming from the hill behind their homes.

Said Mr Rowley: "We met an elderly lady who has a machine in her hall to suck up the water from below her floor.

"She was, I have to say, broken hearted and worried."

Joe McCormack is one of the residents who has suffered from problem. Joe, who works for PKC flood services, has a good bit of knowledge on the issues and said: "This has been a problem for many years but with climate change the problem is getting worse with many more houses getting flooded and gardens getting washed out every time it rains.

"The flood water starts from Benarty Hill and runs down farmer's field, to rear of Kirktoun Park, and has got worse over the years

"The most immediate ask is that the council work with other public authorities and get a survey done on the area so we can understand why it is happening and what needs to be done".

Mr McCormack said that numbers 59, 57, 55, 53 51, 49, 47, 45, 43, 41, 34, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48 were affected and also includes the lane that leads to the graveyard, off Hill Road.

Mr McCormack added: "Not only is the water running down through the gardens of Kirktoun Park, it is running under the houses into the foundations up out the gardens and water drains across the back of the cemetery causing flooding for parts of the cemetery, but also then into Navitie Park, meeting water coming down through the gardens in that street resulting in major flooding".

Mr Rowley has written to Ken Gourlay, Fife Council's head of Assets Transportation and Environment about the issue and added: "This poses a threat to the very foundations of many properties, including council housing, and requires urgent action to understand what is happening and to find solutions.

"I would like to have a site meeting with with the appropriate council officers to see the issues first hand and discuss what needs to happen"

"I remember this causing a problem when I was a councillor a few years ago and I fear that if we do not get on top of it this could cause permanent damage the foundations of the houses."

Ken Gourlay commented on Monday "We are aware of the recent flooding problems at this location and as part of our response we are reviewing the infrastructure that is currently in place.

"We will provide further information to residents as soon as possible."