Services
Flooding - Support and Advice
Like many other parts of the United Kingdom, West Lothian is experiencing the effects of climate change and an increased incidence of flooding affecting people?s homes and businesses. Research predicts that these trends will continue.
West Lothian Council has a dedicated Flood Prevention Team who are responsible for responding to any flooding problems within the county. The council aims to prevent flooding in any area where water flows through the district, dealing with everything from blocked culverts to impeded watercourses.
The council aims to ensure that the risk of flooding is minimised. This includes cleaning culverts or drains to reduce the risk of overflowing.
If you feel that your property is under threat from flooding the Council is able to provide you with Sandbags - please use the contact details below to arrange this.
Service Standards
We aim to:
- Assess watercourses, including culverted watercourses, on a prioritised basis to determine the need for maintenance to reduce the risk of flooding in our communities.
- Clear any watercourse, which is in a condition likely to cause flooding in our communities.
Provide advice and guidance to colleagues in the planning authority on matters relating to flood prevention, sustainable drainage and the water environment - Investigate the causes of serious flooding and the feasability of reducing the risk of occurrence, including the possible promotion of Flood Prevention Schemes.
- Where homes and business' are affected or seriously threatened by flooding, the Council will do everything it can to supply and deliver an emergency supply of sandbags to protect the property and help reduce the effects of damage.
- When demand for sandbags is at its height, we will prioritise the provision of sandbags to properties considered to be at the greatest risk. Sandbags will not generally be provided to protect outbuildings or garden ground.
- Reduce peak demand and enable householders to help themselves, the Council will supply an appropriate number of filled sandbags on request to those householders that live in property with a recorded history of flooding or otherwise deemed by the council to be at risk.
- Attend flood events: carry out work to lessen the effects of flooding and co-ordinate clean up operations in the aftermath of flooding incidents liaison with colleagues in other council teams.
- Evaluate enquiries within 5 working days of receipt and will respond to customers with 10 working days.
- Acknowledge receipt of a complaint with a letter to the customer within 5 days and respond to the customer within 10 working days or longer if agreed between the service representative and the customer before completion of the 10 day timescale.
Contact Details
If you have any concerns regarding flooding, including flooding to your property, or if you see flooding then please do not hesitate to contact us, providing as much detail as possible.
Customer Service Centre: 01506 775000
Out of Hours Emergencies: 01506 631240 or 01506 630288
Broxburn Flood Prevention Scheme
Flooding within the Brox Burn catchment has been experienced on a number of occassions in recent years, including April 2000 and July 2002 when a number of homes and properties were flooded.
In March 2002, West Lothian Council commissioned Halcrow Group Ltd, a specialist consultant based in Edinburgh, to investigate flooding of the Brox Burn and Liggat Syke.
The study identifiedthe areas at risk of flooding and proposed the development of a Flood Prevention Scheme. The main areas identified as being at greatest risk are:
- West Burnside / Station Road
- Burnside Village
- Pyothall / Nicol Road area along the Liggat Syke
The work was presented to the public at two public meetings in March and June 2003. Since these public meetings further work has been undertaken to develop the Flood Prevention Scheme.
Broxburn Flood Prevention Scheme Newsletter
Current Status
West Lothian Council has submitted the project to the Scottish Government for confirmation. The council is hopeful that Ministers will confirm the scheme within a reasonable period such that detailed design can be carried out in early 2008 and construction can commence sometime in late 2008.
Recently the Council sent correspondence to all residents and interested parties affected by the proposals, including drawings of the proposed works.
If you would like further information or to see more details of the proposals and the flood areas then please do not hesitate to contact us.
