Dave Thompson MSP

Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP, Dave Thompson is pressing Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Highland Council to urgently remove the gravel island which was partly to blame for the flooding and road damage on the A86 near Laggan Bridge.

Mr Thompson has been in touch with SEPA and Highland Council over the last few months to work towards a quick solution on the gravel island in the River Spey which caused the River to burst the flood-banks in November 2011. Today, Mr Thompson received assurances from Anne Anderson, the Area Manager at SEPA, that an application to remove, or partially remove, the gravel bar in the River Spey would be acceptable. Once an application was received, SEPA would immediately process it in accordance with regulatory methods agreed with the Scottish Government.

Ms Anderson also commented that SEPA’s role in proceedings was limited to advising prospective applicants, such as Highland Council, until an application was received. Although SEPA continue to liaise with Highland Council, no application for any work has been received as yet.

On 9 March 2012, Highland Council stated that it was working towards removing the gravel, and would progress the licence application for this with SEPA. The Council indicated that it would submit the application forms to SEPA within a matter of days.

Mr Thompson said, “I was delighted to receive SEPA’s optimistic and positive approach to remedial action on the river. It is crucial that work on the gravel bar begins as soon as possible, ensuring that no further flooding occurs. Most importantly, SEPA does not appear to have any reason to reject Highland Council’s application and so the removal will not be delayed or hampered.

“Because the River Spey is designated as a Special Area of Conservation, Highland Council is liaising with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Spey Fisheries Board, both of whom need to be consulted with regard to the work. However, with SEPA’s promise to process the application to remove the gravel bar as a matter of priority, I think we can be optimistic that the work will be completed as soon as possible with minimum interference.