First Minister of Scotland Unveils Flood Protection Strategy

First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a 10-year flood protection strategy designed to protect more than 10,000 homes.

The plan is the result of grant funding totaling £420 million and follows an agreement reached between the Scottish Government and COSLA.

“Earlier this year I saw first-hand the devastating effects of mother nature as storms battered our communities,” Sturgeon said.

“This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.”

The cash will be used to deliver 40 new flood protection projects and support local flood risk management plans.

More than 130 flood protection studies will be carried out to help find potential solutions for another 26,000 residential properties currently at risk.

The announcement came as the First Minister fulfilled her pledge to return to Newton Stewart following an earlier visit in the aftermath of flooding at Hogmanay.

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