Time to solve decades-old flooding problems in Thurso
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Local authority officials have pledged to "get to the bottom" of flash flooding problems which have plagued some shopkeepers in the centre of Thurso.
One trader said action is long overdue, with businesses regularly having to mount clean-ups after the Victorian drainage system is overwhelmed during thunderstorms.
The latest major incident in August in which firefighters were called out led to local Highland Councillors asking officials to treat the issue as an emergency.
The chances of the new investigation bearing fruit drew a largely sceptical reaction at Tuesday's meeting of Thurso Community Council.
Former chairman Bert Macleod commented: "How can we believe that something is going to be done now, as it's been going on for 50 years?"
Present at the meeting was Mhairi Mcbeath, who runs a jewellers on Traill Street.
Ms Mcbeath was representing the businesses who have been most affected by the flooding problems.
She said: "The water comes rushing down the side streets and hits us in Traill Street. It has nowhere else to go.
"I'm relatively lucky as I have a step outside my shop so I don't tend to flood as much as the others but we're all heartily sick of it."
Ms Mcbeath said that on the last occasion, the water rose about 18 inches within 10 minutes.
She said three neighbouring businesses are in the throes of installing mini-water gates in a bid to help limit the ingress in future incidents.
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She added: "Sandbags are a waste of time as they don't really help."
Ms Mcbeath said the problems are exacerbated by a lack of maintenance.
"We noticed that they were cleaning the gullies just after we flooded the last time.
"They need to regularly clear the drains. That is not going to cure the problem but it would certainly help."
Highland councillor Ron Gunn said an investigation is under way which involves all the utilities which have pipes and drains in the town.
He said: "They need to find out exactly what the problem is before they can rectify it.
"There's got to be a serious investigation as to why the water is going where it does and not going to where it should."
That elicited a sceptical response from Mr Macleod and colleague Colin Johnston.
"I think it's all waffle coming from them," said Mr Johnston.
"This has been allowed to go on for years. It's not fair on the shopkeepers who are paying their rates and are having to deal with these gushes of water flooding their premises.
"It's time the council did something about it."
Community councillor Ian Wright said the water backs up at high tides and bypasses the drain in Manson's Lane, which he said is out of commission.
Ms Mcbeath, who said the problem dates back 40-50 years, can arise during high and low tides.
Community councillor James Campbell said: "The important thing is to capture the water at source and redirect it."
Chairwoman Thelma MacKenzie said the problem is aggravated by a lack of maintenance.
"The drains are all choked with grit and grass so water can't go through them," she said.
Members previously heard that a converted road sweeper has been deployed as a gully cleaner while a replacement was awaited.
