Following a visit to Newfield Farm, Dalry, along with the President of the National Farmers Union of Scotland, to witness the devastation caused to flood banks by the late December floods, Cllr Finlay Carson has called on Scottish Power to attend a public meeting to answer the questions relating to its role in flood mitigation and prevention. Speaking after the farm visit in his Council ward, Cllr Carson said:-
“I have now seen the devastation caused to both houses and land by the latest floods, and it is heart-breaking – especially as these floods now appear to be regular annual events. As always, there are all sorts of rumours being circulated about what Scottish Power might or might not have done to address the situation. Having always been of the view that the river system from Carsphairn to Kirkcudbright is not so much a river system but actually an elongated hydro-electric scheme, I believe that Scottish Power have a responsibility to all those affected by that scheme to come and answer the questions put to them.
I have therefore written to Scottish Power’s Chief Corporate Officer, Keith Anderson, inviting him and his officials to a public meeting so that people’s understandable questions and concerns can be raised. I sincerely hope that this invitation will be accepted, because I do believe that people deserve an opportunity to discuss their issues with the company that controls the flow of water within this river catchment.”