Call for urgent action on Halkirk flooding
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TALKS are under way to help a Caithness village which was affected by flooding at the weekend – for the second time in 10 months.
Halkirk was one of the worst hit places in the Far North during the extreme weather which struck late on Saturday and continued into Sunday.
A total of 67mm of rain fell in Caithness in the space of 24 hours which caused the drainage system in the village to overflow.
Church Street and Sinclair Lane were the worst hit areas in Halkirk. Gardens were flooded with excess water and sewage which flowed out of a manhole.
This was the fifth time in four years that flooding has hit the village and the second time in 10 months.
The Highland Council’s transport, environmental and community services department is now in talks with Scottish Water to address the situation. It plans to arrange a site visit soon to assess the problem and attempt to find a solution.
Landward Caithness councillor David Flear said his home narrowly missed the worst of the flooding. But he said that the problem has gone unaddressed in the village for far too long.
He has been in regular contact with TEC services since the weekend and is calling for urgent action to be taken.
"I have to say the flooding at the weekend in Halkirk was horrendous," he said. "The fire brigade was out for six hours trying to prevent the water from causing major damage. All the surface water ran into the main sewer which is located on Church Street. It is only an 18-inch pipe.
"When it reaches capacity there is nowhere for the water to go but on to the street. The water bubbled and gushed out of the manhole along with the sewerage which landed in people’s gardens.
"My neighbour’s house beside me had 14 inches in his garden. Another neighbour used a portable pipe to make sure the flooding didn’t affect their property."
He added: "This is the second time flooding has been a major problem in the last year.
"One resident was forced to stay out of her home for 10 months during a previous flood as the damage caused was so severe.
"If there is no capacity for excess water then we have to also look at planning permission for new houses. Hopefully Scottish Water will respond with some urgency."
Mr Flear stressed: "It is becoming a serious matter in Halkirk every time it rains heavily."
TEC services technician Robin Risbridger said that talks are currently under way with Scottish Water to address the problem.
He said that he is hopeful a solution can be found to prevent flooding in the future.
"I wasn’t actually aware about how bad the situation is in Halkirk until I had heard about the problem on Sunday," he said.
"I have been in contact with Councillor Flear and agreed that the situation needs to be looked at. It is our intention to set up a meeting with Scottish Water to arrange a site visit. I have been in contact with them and I’m currently waiting to hear back from them to hear on the situation.
"Something needs to be done. But what exactly can be done is what we have to wait and see."
The Highland spokesperson for Scottish Water could not be contacted yesterday.
