Flood protection task force to help Falkirk Council fund vital Grangemouth scheme

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A task force is to be set up by the Scottish Government to look at the best way to fund a scheme that will protect Grangemouth's residents and industry from flooding.

Today (Tuesday), members of Falkirk Council's executive agreed to press on with the next stage of the Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme, despite concerns that there is still no firm agreement on how to meet an estimated cost that could be over £600 million.

Falkirk Council has been pleading with the Scottish Government for substantial help with meeting the cost, arguing it is of "national significance" in protecting vital infrastructure for the whole country. Read more: Crackdown on pavement parking will start this year in Falkirk Members were told a letter has now been received from the Scottish Government, saying it is "committed to working with Falkirk Council to determine an alternative funding stream for GFPS".The correspondence also suggested establishing a task force with the council and other interested parties - including private businesses that will benefit from the scheme - to find a funding model.Falkirk Council's Head of Invest, Paul Kettrick, said this was "a significant step forward in engagement with the Scottish Government".With that reassurance, members agreed that they should continue to the next stage, which involves notifying residents, businesses and landowners in the affected areas.The scheme aims to protect more than 6025 people, 2760 residential properties, 1200 commercial properties and 23 kilometres of roads in the areas of Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore and Camelon (Stirling Road) together with the major industrial complex in Grangemouth.The leader of Falkirk Council, Cllr Cecil