Flood prevention cash pledge

The River Kelvin has caused problems in the past

Plans have been announced for an £8m flood prevention scheme in one of Scotland's worst hit areas.

The move, unveiled by Environment Minister Sam Galbraith, has been engineered to stem problems in the Kirkintilloch area where the River Kelvin has a tendency to burst its banks.

Mr Galbraith also confirmed there would be a total of £27.5m available over three years for flood prevention measures in other areas.

Large areas of eastern Scotland were on alert last week after a number of rivers rose to flood risk levels

The River Kelvin Flood Prevention Scheme will benefit residents of Kirkintilloch and neighbouring Torrance, Lennoxtown and Balmore.

The Water of Leith, in Edinburgh, was on flood alert last week

One of the worst incidents in the area was in 1994 when hundreds of householders found themselves swamped.

At one point the water rose a foot in just 15 minutes.

Since then the floods have reached gardens, a quarter of a mile from the river, seven times.

Money for flood prevention has been promised in the past, but changes to local government, a general election, the Scottish Parliament election and a public inquiry have contributed to a long delay.

Mr Galbraith said: "Over the last few weeks all of us have seen the distress and misery that flooding - or even the threat of flooding - can bring to those who live in vulnerable areas.

"There can be few things more miserable than finding water pouring into the fabric of your home.

Help available

"While the west of Scotland was fortunate to miss the worst of the recent problems, it has not always been so lucky - areas in Kirkintilloch, Lennoxtown, Torrance and Balmore have suffered very badly from the flooding of the River Kelvin in previous years.

"This is the beginning of the end of a long wait for local people and I congratulate the council and the residents for their commitment."

He added: "I made clear last week that if local councils came forward with flood prevention schemes then the Scottish Executive would help fund them."

The recent floods which hit the whole of the UK has helped focus minds on preventative measures.

The problems prompted the World Wildlife Fund in Scotland to demand better managed rivers using natural solutions as opposed to man-made defences.