South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy & Transport & Rural Affairs Colin Smyth has said action is needed following yet more flooding and power cuts in the region at the weekend and Monday because of Storm Franklin.

Three primary schools were shut for a time due to power failures across the area and the Whitesands in Dumfries was flooded once again.

Colin Smyth has said this latest flooding is yet more evidence of the serious need for a comprehensive flood prevention scheme for Dumfries.

The local MSP said: “Year after year we see winter storms which have a devastating impact on our region, whether it’s through flooding or power cuts. People have had enough, and it is time for action.

“Whatever people’s views on the proposed scheme, it is shocking that Dumfries is the largest town in Scotland that floods regularly but it still has no form of flood protection scheme and on Sunday the banks of the River Nith burst again.

“We can’t keep going on like this and pretending it isn’t a problem. However, despite the regularity that flooding occurs, the Government funding for flood protection schemes is oversubscribed for the next five years so without additional funding, homes and businesses will continue to be hit.

“There are also serious questions to answer about the robustness of the energy network in rural communities.

“The situation we see with power cuts would not have happened in our cities, where the energy network is underground. It is one rule for the central belt and another for Scotland’s rural areas.”