COUNCIL chiefs have confirmed they are funding an extensive study to ensure the floods that hit New Cumnock late last year are never repeated.

They are being assisted by environmental watchdog SEPA, after meeting with locals and politicians at a stormy public meeting last month.

Stewart Turner, Head of Roads – Ayrshire Roads Alliance, said: “Following the severe flooding which affected New Cumnock last December, the Council’s Flooding Officer investigated the area and recommended that a detailed study of the watercourses and existing defences was undertaken in four key areas – the Leggate, the Castle, Afton Bridge and Nith Bridge.

“A tender is currently being prepared which will allow for an external consultant to be appointed to undertake a detailed flood survey, identify sources of flooding and develop fully costed preventative works.

“The study, which will be funded by East Ayrshire Council, will include a consultation with SEPA and local landowners.

“It is anticipated that the report will be available later this year.” Families were forced from their homes and the town was devastated by the floods that hit the town on December 30.

MSP Graeme Pearson, councillors and local farmers, believe the problems could have been avoided if preventative measures, such as dredging, were taken.

Another meeting will be held in May to find out the results from the study.

David Faichney from SEPA’s Flood Unit added: “SEPA attended the public meeting in New Cumnock on March 17 and benefitted from hearing directly from those impacted by the recent floods in the area. We took the opportunity to clarify our role and to explain to the community how SEPA and East Ayrshire Council will work together to understand the causes and impacts of flooding in the New Cumnock area, prior to a plan being put together to manage the flood risk. We were pleased that we were able to discuss directly with local farmers some of the concerns they had about dredging and riverbank maintenance.

“East Ayrshire Council will be taking forward a flood study of New Cumnock and as part of this SEPA is providing assistance and information to ensure that this gives us a complete picture of the flooding issues from the River Nith, Afton and Connel Burn. Ongoing support is available to the farming community through our local Dumfries office to help enable appropriate river engineering activities to be undertaken.

“A follow-up meeting is being scheduled for mid-May through Graeme Pearson MSP’s office and we look forward to attending to bring local residents up to date with progress.”