THE concerns that have emerged over the past few days about the problems being caused by flooding in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area are totally right.

The incredible result of the six hours of torrential rain, caused by several thunderstorms merging together on August 11/12, was catastrophic for families in many parts of the area, but none more so than in Cardenden Road, Cardenden, where a succession of homes were entered by floodwater and homes ruined.

However, in Cowdenbeath it is clear that the drainage in several streets cannot cope with the volumes of water that the weather is chucking down and this has come at the end of the summer.

In Cowdenbeath, Foulford Road has twice been seriously flooded in August. The first occasion was on August 11/12 as a result of the downpour but the second came a fortnight later when several hours of steady rain saw the area at the foot of the hill, linking Kirkford with the High Street, became almost impassable.

There has also been the issue at Mossbank, in the town, where the road repeatedly floods after heavy falls of rain.

Local councillor, Darren Watt, has taken on the Foulford Road issue and has asked if the massive number of new homes built to the north of the town has had an impact on drainage courses in Cowdenbeath. Or is it that the system of burns that run through the town can no longer cope with the amount of water nature is throwing at the town.

In Cardenden local councillor Linda Erskine feels that some sort of flood prevention scheme is necessary to ensure that the destruction of property is not repeated.

And roads and transportation convener, Altany Craik, admitted that Fife Council no longer has the required workforce to deal with emergencies like the one that occurred on August 11/12, and that a full review of response procedures for flood emergencies is carried out.

The fact is that downpours appear to becoming more of a norm rather than the once in a few years situations of the past and ways of successfully tackling these need to be found.