Risk to life warning over lack of action to make Scotland's infrastructure safe from climate change

By Martin Williams

Action is needed to stop climate change putting lives at risk through damage to Scotland’s infrastructure, according to a group of experts.

In its State of the Nation 2020 report, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Scotland has warned that, warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, increased storm frequency and more intense rainfall are all putting pressure on Scotland’s infrastructure assets.

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"Climate change will result in higher rainfall and more frequent extreme weather events, therefore the risk of landslip activity is likely to increase," they said. "The rural communities that the road serves are calling for a more reliable transport link, allowing their businesses to run more efficiently and to bring greater peace of mind in times of extreme weather."

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A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Recent events are a sharp reminder of the need to adapt our transport network to the effects of severe weather. Climate change will increase both the intensity and frequency of storms, flooding and high winds. Regardless of the real progress being made in decarbonising the transport network, adaptation of existing vital infrastructure will still be essential.