A charity has welcomed cash to protect 10,000 homes from flooding - but has warned that ten times as many households could be under threat.
The Scottish Government has pledged £420 million over the next 10 years to safeguard homes in the country’s most at-risk communities.
It comes after one of the wettest winters on record led to serious flooding in many parts.
A total of 40 new flood protection projects will benefit from the cash, according to a government spokesman.
The pace of investment will need to increase significantly if people are to be properly protected
Friends of the Earth Scotland welcomed the investment, but warned that more cash will be needed to mitigate the effects of climate change and to protect the tens of thousands of homes which are at risk of deluge.
Director Dr Richard Dixon said: “Today’s announcement will be welcome relief to thousands of people across Scotland who are witnessing first-hand the local weather changes brought about by global climate change.
“Flooding has a devastating impact on people, communities and businesses. Increasing damage from floods is the most obvious sign of the impact of climate change and the UK Committee on Climate Change warned only last week that governments need to do more.”
Dr Dixon said government figures showed more than 100,000 homes were currently at risk of flooding.
He added: “Unlike the UK government, the Scottish Government has kept up consistent funding for flood schemes. However, the scale of the flooding challenge is massive and increasing as more climate change brings higher seas, more storms and more extreme rainfall.
“The pace of investment will need to increase significantly if people are to be properly protected from the misery of being flooded.”
The investment was unveiled following an agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).
Stephen Hagan, Cosla’s spokesman for development, economy and sustainability, said: “Protecting communities is at the heart of what local government does and is the reason why local government has committed this substantial resource for flood protection.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Earlier this year I saw first-hand the devastating effects of mother nature as storms battered our communities.
“Last December is on record as the wettest and saw levels at rivers across Scotland overflow.
“This agreement will give local authorities the certainty they need to deliver the actions set out in their Local Flood Risk Management Plans to help protect individuals, business and communities from the danger of flooding.”
