A MOSSBANK resident has hit out after his home has been sanctioned by his insurance company because of an on-going flooding issue.

As reported previously by the Times, householders were plagued by floods in 2019 and 2020 and, despite constant contact with Fife Council, Scottish Water and local politicians, no action has yet taken place to stop it happening again.

Now one resident, Ian Thomson, said he is now being punished by his insurance company for something he said he has no control over.

"I feel physically sick," he said. "The thing I hoped wouldn’t happen has happened my house (Contents and Property) insurance company have sanctioned my property with something called an SP01.

"This states that they will not pay for the first £2500 for any damage or claim caused by flooding, whether storm or otherwise and must be declared to all other insurance companies should I wish to change.

"The property value will be affected and the selling will be an issue should we or our family endeavour to do this in the future."

Mr Thomson said he feels he is being "doubly penalised" as he is now considering spending over £1,000 on measures to prevent water getting into his home.

"I am spending inordinate amounts to get some form of protection for a problem that is not my problem," he said. "The consequences of the street flooding in my property flooding, but I cannot rectify the street flooding as this is in someone else’s hands.

"Scottish Water and the Council as yet have taken no action to rectify this issue.

"If I were to damage one of their properties due to emissions from my property I am sure they would be quick in asking me to rectify the situation and expect me to do it.

"Secondly, I am having a sanction against my property and having to incur huge excess payments should there be a flood claim. I will be continuing my pressure and have enlisted the help of the Scottish Flood Forum for this as well."

Service Manager Ross Speirs said that work was ongoing to manage and reduce the impact of flooding in areas at risk across Fife.

“Over 450 sites have been identified and we’re spending almost £1million this year to help address these issues, with a total of £5 million allocated over the next 10 years," he said.

“The flooding in this area is caused by the culmination of various water sources, ultimately entering a Scottish Water sewer which cannot cope, nor was designed to cope, with the rainfall events Mr Thomson has experienced.

“We are continuing to discuss this issue with Scottish Water and Mr Thomson, and have offered to help by changing the alignment of roads to divert water away from his property.

“Legally, property owners are responsible for their land and property. Residents are expected to take reasonable measures to safeguard and insure themselves.

"An initiative set up between Government and Insurance companies called FloodRe provides insurance at an affordable cost for properties affected by flooding https://www.floodre.co.uk."