Scottish Conservatives in Perthshire are urging Perth and Kinross Council to take action to ensure recent flooding scenes are not repeated in the region.
Murdo Fraser MSP and Councillor John Duff want measures taken as a precaution before the expected deluge of rain arrives at the end of this week.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for parts of Scotland, including Perth and Kinross, from 6am on October 19 to just before midnight on October 21, as part of Storm Babet.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: “Perth and Kinross Council need to have learnt the lessons from last week and take action as a precaution to protect properties if there is any risk of flooding. This yellow weather warning is very concerning, especially in light of what happened just over a week ago when scores of properties and businesses were flooded due to flood gates not being closed at the North Inch in Perth.
“We are still waiting to hear a full explanation of how this happened from the SNP-run Council, but it is clear that they need to step up to the mark here after badly letting down residents last week. The Council shamelessly attempted to shift blame for their awful handling of the flooding on the North Inch – they now need to focus on the forthcoming weather and set up various measures as a precaution before the expected rain hits the region.”
And Councillor John Duff, Leader of the Scottish Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council, added: "News of another potentially severe weather event on top of the poor handling of last week's flooding which saw floodgates go unclosed, the already sodden ground and high water levels, will bring much anxiety and fear to our residents who have already been affected by flooding. It is vital that the Council and the SNP administration make better preparations this time in advance of its arrival and communicate these plans to the public in order to quell these concerns. We cannot see a repetition of last week's events."
Councillor Duff continued: "On behalf of the Scottish Conservative group on the Council, I have submitted over 30 questions to the Chief Executive regarding last week's events and, like everyone in Perth and Kinross, await answers from the Council and its SNP administration. Lots of council staff were out doing their best in difficult circumstances last weekend and we greatly appreciate their efforts. However, somewhere along the line, vital decisions were missed, people were badly let down and a lot of pain and misery was unnecessarily inflicted on residents as a result."
