Storm Arwen review recommends infrastructure resilience changes in Scotland

A range of changes are to be put in place to strengthen national resilience and protect lives, homes and infrastructure from the impacts of future severe weather events in Scotland.

A review of the preparations for and response to Storm Arwen set out 15 recommendations for the Scottish Government and its partners, the Scottish Resilience Partnership, local resilience partnerships, utility companies, the voluntary sector and national responders.

Key recommendations included improved processes for identifying and assisting those most at risk, and bringing the voluntary and community sector into the heart of local resilience planning and response arrangements. Relevant for Scottish Water, energy networks and other utilities was the recommendation that these providers review their processes for establishing restoration plans and timelines, and communicating regular updates to responders and the public.

The Scottish government said it will track progress against the recommendations and provide a further update this June.

Storm Arwen was a severe weather event to hit Scotland and northern England in November 2021. The most widespread impacts of the storm were felt in the North East, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders. The peak of the disruption saw almost 200,000 energy customers affected, 10,000 properties having experienced water supply issues, telecoms unavailable in parts of the country, school closures, and the cancellation of train and ferry services.