WORKS to address flooding in Rosyth could be carried out – in the next six years.

That is the hope of Fife Council after SNP politician Annabelle Ewing wrote to SEPA, Scottish Water and the local authority over repeated flooding in the Cowdenbeath constituency, which includes Rosyth.

She stated that flooding has been an issue in the town “for some 40 years”, and that “remedial action must now be taken”.

Ms Ewing said: “An integrated catchment study was supposed to be completed by the end of 2022 so I want clarification on where that now stands and what is to happen next.

“Rosyth must surely be included in the forward plan in relation to flood management strategies and flood plans which are to be implemented over the course of 2022-2028.”

Scottish Water is leading the work and said two projects in Rosyth are being looked at.

A spokeswoman said: “We are working closely with Fife Council and SEPA to ensure a co-ordinated approach to flooding prevention. Scottish Water is responsible for the sewer network and for helping to prevent sewer flooding.

“A Dunfermline and Iron Mill Bay integrated catchment study has been completed and the model provides predictions of flooding from both the sewer and waterways. Scottish Water is using this model to progress two projects in Rosyth with a focus on sewer flooding prevention.

“We will update the local community on these projects as they develop.”

Fife Council’s senior manager, Derek Crowe, said: “Scottish Water is leading the work in Rosyth looking at opportunities to resolve flooding issues in the area. We are working with them and SEPA on an integrated catchment study.

“The study will help improve our knowledge and understanding of the interactions between above ground and below ground drainage networks and develop plans to manage surface water in affected areas, including Rosyth. There are no firm timescales for action from the study, but it’s hoped any planned works could be carried out over the next six years.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “We continue to work in partnership with Fife Council and Scottish Water to support communities affected by flooding across Fife. Flood risk management strategies and local flood risk management plans are being prepared by SEPA and the local authorities that propose actions to deal with flooding across Scotland. These plans will be consulted on in this summer.

“Once these consultations are live we would encourage communities to engage and let us know their views on proposed plans. All responses will be considered before making final decisions about actions for the next and subsequent flood risk management cycles.”