NEW Cumnock residents are seeking showdown talks with Council chiefs to ensure they NEVER again endure the misery that engulfed them last week.

Fourteen families were forced to find temporary accommodation after the devastating floods on Monday December 30 forced them out of their homes.

Heavy and persistent rain over a number of days was too much for the River Afton and it’s banks burst causing widespread flooding across the village.

Fire chiefs described it as the worst they had attended, while the community rallied around to ensure food and shelter was provided to those who needed it most.

But this week, as the clean-up continued, locals in New Cumnock were looking for answers.

Nancy Johnstone, who was evacuated from her property in the Leggate, said: “The Council could have done more. Up until now we’ve been fairly fortunate but neighbours had been flooded in the past.

“We’ve had meetings with them but frankly it was a waste of time. I think there is anger amongst the community that this was allowed to happen. They could have put better flood protection in at the Connel Burn or even had a way of diverting the excess water into the nearby floods.

“This can’t be allowed to happen again.” A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council “In the coming weeks the Council’s Flood Officer will be visiting the affected areas to carry out a detailed investigation into the circumstances which led to the flooding and the outcomes of this report will be assessed fully in due course and shared with the local community.

“The Castle area, the A76 Trunk Road comes under the responsibility of Transport Scotland and that they will be responsible for any investigations into the flooding of the A76 which resulted in the road being closed. East Ayrshire Council will work with Transport Scotland in this regard as the Council recognises the importance of the A76 to the local community.” Houses in Millar Road, Knockshinnoch Road, Castle and Leggate were worst affected.

The EAC spokesperson added: “A slow moving band of heavy rain spread across the south of East Ayrshire falling onto ground already saturated by the severe weather experienced during the previous week.

“The combination of the heavy rain and sodden ground led to localised flooding. The Council set up a rest centre, in partnership with the Ayrshire Civil Contingencies Team, for the individuals affected by the flooding; however they all chose to stay with family until the water abated rather than utilising the rest centre facility.”