Flood-hit business owners in Renfrew say they have been “failed” after their council decided not to activate a crucial part of a £10million defence system during Storm Boelo.
Business owners in Renfrew told how they battled knee-deep torrents as they scrambled to protect their properties on Saturday night, October 24, when water from the River Clyde burst into the town.
Despite an amber weather warning being issued for most of the country, Renfrewshire Council said the predicted storm conditions did not meet the threshold needed to use flood barriers - built as part of a major prevention scheme a decade ago.
Business owners demand answers
Sukhjinder Singh, who owns Foundry Gym on the town’s Ferry Road, said the community deserves answers. He said: “I feel very angry about the fact that millions of pounds of public money has been spent on the flood system to prevent this happening and it wasn’t activated. It’s just beyond comprehension the fact that the council have spent the money on this mechanism to help the local community and when we needed the help they just failed us.”
The North Renfrew Flood Prevention Scheme is made up of a three metre high embankment and an underground pumping station. While the pumping station was in use during the storm, the council said forecast data - including predicted tide levels for the Clyde - did not reach required levels to use the barriers. It said water levels then surpassed expectations and a review will be carried out.
Singh described the sudden flooding: “It was past 10pm when I went outside and noticed a lot of water on the side of the building. I called the council and advised them the water was rising and can someone come out. I said it seemed like a blocked drain because the water wasn’t draining away. We were trying to stop the water coming into the building from the front and managed to get hold of some sand and cement bags. We then noticed some water coming from the bathrooms, not realising the extent of that until the whole gym lower floor was flooded. It was unbelievable. How could this much water appear in such a short period of time?”
Damage and insurance gaps
Singh, who only opened the premises seven months ago, is uninsured due to the nearby river and has suffered thousands of pounds of damage. He said: “We were told the council had spent millions on a flooding defence system and that would be in place to stop it happening. They’ve not been in touch. It would be nice for them to come out.” He believes another issue reported to Scottish Water affecting drainage at his business contributed to the extent of the flooding.
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “We are aware of an existing issue affecting a section of sewer at this location, and repairs are currently being planned by our contractor. However, we have not established that this issue was responsible for the flooding experienced at this property over the weekend. Pro-active operations were put in place over the weekend to help manage the sewer flows at this location. In times of heavy rainfall, the sewer system can become overwhelmed, leading to flooding even where the infrastructure is operating as designed.”
Maureen Gray, who works in Ferry Nice Food takeaway, a business run by her daughter, said the response from the council was “too little too late” after they suffered severe damage to their electrical appliances and stock. They are also not covered by insurance due to being in a flood area. She said: “We’re not very happy. A lot of money has been spent putting this barrier in place so not to enforce it when we need it is just not good. Workers have been out at the bridge yesterday and have actually put it up today, but it’s too little too late. The council supplied sandbags on Monday night at 4.30pm. The damage is devastating to everyone and has already been done. Unfortunately we just need to roll our sleeves up and get back to business as quick as we can. This is our third day working in the shop and we’re hoping to be open for Friday. We’re just trying to get sorted as quick as we can.”
Restaurant owner faces total loss
Tarun Wadhwa, who runs the Green Gates Indian Restaurant on the other side of the flood barrier, said the water was knee deep on the lower part of his property on Saturday - destroying huge amounts of stock and appliances. He said: “I was in the restaurant at the time. Three customers were inside with a small girl with them - they were afraid. We were told help was coming but it was 15 or 20 minutes and rising so we thought we should go. I have been here for the last 10 years. This is the first time we’ve seen this much water. It’s the loss of everything. Customers… staff. I now have to make everything brand new and paint all the restaurant again. It’s too hard for me. The restaurant and hospitality industry is difficult nowadays so with a flood, it’s too much. I want to start again as soon as possible because I don’t want to lose my customers and staff.”
Wadhwa said he did not understand why the barrier, which is just yards from his business, was not raised. He said: “Apparently they have spent millions of pounds on that. There was nobody on that. We’ve been told we’re not included for (insurance) for the flood so they’re not giving me anything - not even a single penny.”
In 2023, Perth and Kinross Council admitted a delay in closing the North Inch flood gates may have led to nearby properties being damaged. The authority said a full investigation was carried out after more than 30 properties were flooded.
Council response and review
Storm Boelo wreaked havoc across Scotland this weekend, devastating communities with severe flooding and leaving thousands of homes without power as winds reached speeds of up to 85mph.
A Renfrewshire Council spokeswoman said: “The exceptional tidal surge on the River Clyde at Renfrew on Saturday night was recorded at 6.7metres, the highest since digital records began in 1998 and more than twice the level forecast. The community will have seen our teams around the flood defences on Monday night and again today given forecast high tidal levels. The barriers were raised last night but the Clyde did not breach the banks and we are monitoring the potential requirement to raise the barriers today as well given the ongoing adverse weather conditions. We have visited local businesses affected and will continue to monitor the situation.”
