Case Made For Euro Support For Stirling and Milnathort Flood Victims

SNP MSP Bruce Crawford and the party's European spokesman Alyn Smith MEP have written to the Commission asking what direct aid can be given to those affected and if European funding can be secured for flood defences.

Speaking on the issue, Bruce Crawford, who is also the SNP's prospective parliamentary candidate in Stirling said,

"If there is European cash available to help the people and businesses devastated by these floods then I want to make sure everything is done to get that to them as soon as possible.

"Having visited Bridgehaugh Road and Riverside in Stirling with Alyn Smith it is clear flood prevention measures have to be explored and Alyn and I will make sure that any available funding from the EU will be secured.

"What I don't want to see is what has happened in other areas of Scotland where people have been out of their homes for months and even years after being flooded.

"Serious questions must be raised about recent flood defence measure introduced in Milnathort that have clearly failed. These must be re-examined and money found to fund any improvements and alterations.

Alyn Smith MEP added,

"Bruce and I will pull out all the stops to make sure everything possible is done in Brussels and in Holyrood to help those who have borne the brunt of last weeks heavy rain.

"Structural funds have been made available to other areas in the past and I hope that we can use that precedent to get help for people in Stirling."