Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 23 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with SEPA regarding its guidance on flood defences and the wider flooding risk in the Langholm area.
Local Authorities are responsible for developing, delivering and maintaining flood protection schemes in their communities. This is because they are best placed to respond to local resilience needs. Therefore the Scottish Government has not had any discussions with SEPA regarding its guidance on flood defences and the wider flooding risk in the Langholm area.
Dumfries and Galloway Council put forward a flood protection scheme for Langholm in its 2015 Local Flood Risk Management Plan, but it was withdrawn due to a lack of community support for the scheme.
The Council have confirmed that there are no further works planned in terms of a flood protection scheme for Langholm. Council maintenance of road gullies in the area is planned after an incident of surface water flooding in late 2025.