| Occupants of the Fairfield housing estate said they lived with the constant risk of flooding and claimed the Lade and local drains were simply inadequate to deal with the sort of rains that brought such chaos yesterday.
Fairfield Housing Co-operative said it would hold a full investigation into the circumstances behind the flooding.
On Feus Road one local said, “There is just one drain here and it cannot cope. Something needs to be done about this because it happens every time it rains and it’s just not good enough.”
At Fairfield, the Lade — which runs behind many of the properties — spilled over into many back gardens, adding to the deluge.
Among the worst hit was Menzies Court, where residents were at one stage warned they could face evacuation.
Leigh Mearns said while her home was unaffected by the flooding, she was forced to stay indoors all day.
“I couldn’t get to work because I was advised not to take my car out,” she said. “I could have walked, but I would have needed waders.”
With people questioned why Perth was so badly hit, local politicians today pledged to investigate the alleged drainage problems.
Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said, “I am extremely concerned for the people and businesses who have been affected by flooding and I know that many will be worried about what it might mean for them should the situation worsen.
“I understand that the problems caused by the high rainfall may have been exacerbated by drainage issues and I will be pursuing that issue with both Scottish Water and Perth and Kinross Council.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser called on the Government to give Perth priority for investment in flood prevention.
“The flooding of Perth town centre just underlines the need for a full review of our flood-prevention measures and to make our area a priority for investment in flood-prevention schemes. Of course, there is a limit to what government can do against the forces of nature, but we must acknowledge that upgrading flood-prevention is a start in tackling this issue.” |
