MORE than six thousand homes and businesses in Dumbarton and the Vale could be at risk from flooding in 60 years’ time as a result of climate change, an environmental watchdog has warned.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) says that almost 10,000 people in the area could find themselves at risk of flooding if measures to tackle the threat aren’t taken soon.

SEPA is asking members of the public to comment on proposals in its draft flood risk management plans for the whole of Scotland.

The plans include assessments of the current threats to people, homes and businesses in 14 districts across Scotland, each of them divided into ‘potentially vulnerable areas’ (PVAs).

The plan for the Clyde and Loch Lomond district identifies Loch Lomond and the Vale of Leven – actually covering the whole of the Clyde coast from Old Kilpatrick to Cardross, as well as the whole of the Vale from Renton to Balloch – as one of those PVAs.

It says that in Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven alone, 8,500 people and 5,100 homes and businesses are at risk from river, coastal or surface water flooding – and that those numbers could rise to 9,400 people and 6,100 homes and businesses by the 2080s without action to try and solve the problem.

Across the whole of the Loch Lomond and the Vale of Leven PVA, the plan estimates that if the risk of flooding is not dealt with soon, 12,300 people and 7,110 homes and businesses could be at risk from flooding in 60 years’ time.

SEPA recommends starting work on flood protection schemes for both Dumbarton and the Vale, including “direct defences” in Dumbarton, where it says “relocation is also to be considered”.

Members of the public have until Sunday, October 31 to comment on SEPA’s proposals – they can be found online by following the link at consultation.sepa.org.uk.