A proposal to open up a causeway which islanders say could prevent a potential repeat of a tragedy where a family of five tragically died has been rejected by Western Isles transport councillors.
Archie and Murdina Macpherson perished along with their two young children Hannah and Andrew when their vehicles were overwhelmed by floodwater at Iochdar in South Uist. Murdina's father Calum Campbell also perished as the road the family took was completely flooded.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the tragedy when the South Ford causeway acted as a dam, preventing a surge of sea water from escaping.
Bid to open up flood causeway rejected by transport committee
14 April 2015
Rising water invaded the low lying ground and coastal roads in January 2005.
The South Ford Hydrodynamic Study -
The community has always been adamant that opening the causeway is absolutely essential.
But on Tuesday the transport committee of Western Isles Council rejected that approach because it would not be economically efficient.
Councillors were told opening up rock-
There was no dissent when the transport committee opted for the cheaper option of
repairing Gualan Island -
Under the committee’s preferred option, shingle would be taken from the northern end of Gualan Island to form a base, topped off with sand from the southern basin to make an artificial dune.
Technical services director Iain Mackinnon told the committee: “It is nigh on impossible to eliminate risk.”
He said the aim is to “try and minimise the risk of flooding and then manage that risk.”
The council will apply for Scottish Government funding for flood prevention schemes.
It also intends to develop a dune management scheme for south coast of Benbecula as well as construct a flood embankment at Lionacleit.
Any construction work for opening the causeway could take two years with an estimated
cost of £20 million -
The transport committee’s preferred scheme will be put to the full council next week.