THE flooding dangers that exist in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area need special measures in place to ensure that the problems that hit parts of the area in August cannot occur again.

Many homes in Cardenden were ruined while parts of Cowdenbeath and the surrounding villages were threatened as heavy rain hit the area in the last month of summer.

Fife MSP Alex Rowley has met with residents who have been seriously affected in Cardenden, where the damage ran to many hundreds of thousands of pounds, and after discussions with Fife Council he has asked for a meeting with the Scottish Government Cabinet Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, to look at what is needed in the county as a whole and the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area in particular where some of the worst situations developed.

He said in his letter: "I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the increasing risk of floods in Fife communities and the need for financial investment in infrastructure and community flood defences.

"You will be aware of the recent flooding that took place in Cardenden, which had a devastating impact on many householders who lost so much. Some residents did not have insurance, or their insurance did not cover the flood damage. I have to say it was quite heart breaking but the residents have made it clear they do not want politicians' sympathy, they want politicians to bring forward solutions that will remove the threat of it happening again".

He added: "To that end I would refer you to a report from SEPA called Cowdenbeath (Candidate Potentially Vulnerable Area 10128c) which covers the Cowdenbeath and Cardenden areas and identifies that 'Whilst the area was not identified as a Potentially Vulnerable Area in 2011, the information on flood risk from the new hazard maps identified that this area should be regarded as a candidate for a future Potentially Vulnerable Area due to the potential risk to people and properties'.

"Whilst it is good that the area has been identified I am afraid that the report seriously underestimates the level of risk in the Cardenden area. However, that report did lead to Fife Council appointing Stantec and Kaya to undertake a flood study for Cardenden.

"The report identified that one option which would have a high impact on flood risk and flood reduction would be to increase the capacity of water being able to flow under the Den Burn Bridge.

"Having visited the area on a number of occasions over the last month, when the rain was consistent, I saw first-hand that the water is being pushed back at this point as it hits the bridge. The bridge, therefore, is a major block to the flow of water. The report confirms that increasing the bridge capacity reduces flood risk to Cardenden from the Den Burn significantly".

On funding he added: "I am sure you will also be aware that Fife has had little support from the Scottish Government when it comes to flood defence. This may be because other areas were in more need.

"We are very much in need now and the council, with its limited resources, is overwhelmed by the number of flood incidents and the need to put in place defence mechanisms.

"We must have the chance to tap into the national flood defences budget. I am therefore requesting a meeting with you to discuss further the need for funding for this specific scheme and for the growing problem of flooding in Fife.

"ln Cardenden a local group has been set up to co-ordinate the community response and campaign for action, and I know they would want to join that discussion as, I am sure, would other local politicians. I look forward to hearing from you".

In his discussions with Ken Gourlay, Head of Fife Council's, Head of Assets, Transportation and Environment, he learned that the Scottish Government have set aside £420m over 10 years, so averaging £42m per annum, commencing in 2016, for flood defence projects nationally.

That’s for all 32 Local Authorities. 20% of that (£8.4m per year) is top sliced on the basis of flood risk and allocated to each local authority based on a formula that the SG/CoSLA developed. The greater flood risk in each authority the greater funding you receive each year. Some of this funding can go on flood related work such as flood studies, clearance and repair of watercourses etc.

The remaining funding is allocated to the flood schemes in the allocated list of 42 schemes proposed throughout Scotland within the first 6 year cycle.

Mr Rowley concluded: "Fife has one currently on that list, Kinness Burn, St Andrews. However, we need to bid for that money once we know what it will cost to deliver the scheme for Cardenden. The study is just about complete. Of that figure, we are permitted to bid for up to 80% of the Capital costs of the project".