Climate change expert warns of flood dangers facing Scotland
November 30, 2009
An expert on climate change has warned that the recent floods in Cumbria would look like nothing compared to the disasters from flooding that could soon start to affect Scotland. Professor David Crichton said that many of Scotland’s aging dams are causing a very real threat to the people who live below them. Although he said that he would not name one of the dams so as not to cause a panic Crichton said that the government was still ignoring his warnings about subsidence and cracking which was putting 40,000 homes in danger. He said that he could point to other examples where contractors were continuing to erect buildings below dams that were suffering from the affects of age. Crichton warned that increased storms and heavier rainfalls in the future could severely exacerbate problems.
Professor Crichton also slammed plans by the Scottish authorities to invest massive amounts of money in a new bridge across the Firth of Forth. He said that the money would be far better spent on a flood barrier that could be used to protect power stations and oil refineries from the dangers of a storm surge.
Professor Crichton’s warnings were dismissed by Professor Andy Hughes from Bristol University as being an exaggeration. He said that dam safety was of paramount importance at the moment and that Scotland’s record on dam safety was excellent. He went on to point out that the new 2009 Scottish Flood Risk Management Act meant that previously unchecked dams were now being properly assessed.
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