RESIDENTS in a flood-ravaged community will no longer face the heartbreak of their homes being repeatedly ruined.

East Ayrshire Council (EAC) has allocated £600,000 to mount effective flood defences in the Leggate area of New Cumnock, with design work starting immediately, followed by construction work.

Properties near the Connel Burn have been affected several times in the past year by severe floods, and were particularly badly hit in the extreme weather of a year ago, with householders dreading every cloudburst.

Councillor for Cumnock and New Cumnock, Eric Ross, said that the burn has a tendency to overflow and cause serious damage when heavy rain falls, and that he is looking forward to the work being done.

He added: “I am very pleased for the residents who live at Connel Park, given that a larger scheme which has been planned, and has to go to the Scottish Government for approval, could take a number of years.

“This will not affect that bid, but it is good that the council has taken early action to help the situation with the Connel Burn, which is a bonus to the community while work is ongoing for the other scheme.” Several public meetings have already taken place on this involving council officials and representatives from many organisations including National Farmers Union, and local fishing clubs, as well as MSP Graeme Pearson.

Either way it will take some time. The larger scheme is grant-aided, estimated to cost millions of pounds, and will be competing with more than 300 applications from towns and villages throughout Scotland.

Mr Pearson said he was delighted with the news of the more immediate investment, and welcomed the commitment from EAC in providing the funding to the flood prevention measures for the area.

He added: “I am sure that this will provide a remedy and hopefully resolve the issue of repeated flooding in this area. I have seen the fear and despair of the residents in New Cumnock as they attempt clean ups and try to salvage their household goods.

“It is for this reason that I will continue to work with the agencies involved in the flood prevention and I commend them for the work which they have implemented thus far.

“I am also grateful to local councillors who have also assisted the community and can advise that a further public meeting with all the agencies involved will be held on Monday February 6, to discuss the current situation.” A council spokeswoman said: “The flooding experienced in the Leggate area was significant and the council recognises, through its efforts to support the people affected ,and its commitment to delivering services in very difficult circumstances, that a solution to this problem had to be found, and quickly.

“The council has also allocated funding to allow the full design to be completed for the properties affected by the River Nith during the storms from December 2013. This design work will ensure that the scheme can be delivered once national funding becomes available.”