Flood Risk Management in Scotland - 2018 Consultation on Potentially Vulnerable Areas

Potentially Vulnerable Areas (PVAs) are where significant flood risk exists now or is likely to occur in the future. They are part of the National Flood Risk Assessment (NFRA), which is updated and published every six years and considers flooding from rivers, the sea and from surface water.

This provides a clear picture of past, current and future flood risk and helps Scotland to understand and prioritise where work could benefit the most. The PVAs and NFRA are a vital part of protecting people, properties, businesses, communities, infrastructure and our environment.

Since 2011, when PVAs were first identified, SEPA and partners have been working hard to improve data and methods of flood risk assessment. As a result, this new information has resulted in changes to the original PVAs.

From 1st May through to 31st July of this year SEPA consulted on the proposed, updated, PVAs, the methodology used to assess the risks and impacts for each PVA and the consultation arrangements, which will inform the Flood Risk Management Strategies - https://consultation.sepa.org.uk/evidence-and-flooding/pvas2018/

A summary of the consultation responses is now available on the SEPA website at the link noted above, and SEPA will take account of views received and submit proposals to Scottish Ministers later this year. Scottish Ministers will formally designate PVAs which will be published in December 2018 as part of the second NFRA.

(Summer 2018 Newsletter)