Bureaucracy 'holds back flood action in Moray'.

(From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK))

Flood prevention in Moray is being hindered by bureaucracy, the Scottish Parliament heard yesterday.

MSPs were told repairs to river banks in the region are being made harder by environmental regulations which mean Government agencies have to get involved in protected areas.

In particular, James Mackie told the petitions committee that the course of the River Spey had to be controlled in an environmentally sound way to guard against further erosion.

He said he feared this could leave nearby Kingston-upon-Spey an island if the sea broke through.

Mr Mackie called for a national strategy on the …