Responding to an announcement from Mike Russell, Minister for Environment on a package of measures to impporve coastal defences and roads in the Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Convener Alex MacDonald said: “this welcome additional funding from the Scottish Government will enable the Comhairle to complete the flood alleviation works at Iochdar and Howbeg, and the construction of the emergency access route at Muir of Aird.  The funding of the scheme at Iochdar will assist in alleviating the potential flooding issues at this location where an entire family were so unfortunately lost in January 2005.  The Comhairle recognises that these works would not have been possible without the hard work of the local communities.

I also welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to granting 80% of the costs of the coast protection schemes to be constructed in Benbecula, South Uist and in Barra.

The next step in undertaking these coast protection schemes is to carry out detailed design of the projects.  The Comhairle has agreed to make some funding available which will allow the appointment of consultants to take forward this design work whilst discussions continue on the question of the 20% balance of funding which will be required before construction of these coastal protection schemes can be progressed.”