5 Perth sandbag stations bringing hope to flood-hit residents

Perth Community Flood Aid is introducing a range of measures, including a new website for people to seek advice on protecting their homes and businesses

By Morag Lindsay

March 13 2025, 6:00am

Some of the team behind the new sandbags stations in Perth. Image: Perth Community Flood Aid

Five new sandbag stations have been installed across Perth to help residents protect their homes from flooding.

The units are the work of Perth Community Flood Aid.

They will be opened whenever there’s a weather warning, or when volunteers determine there’s a risk of flooding.

The sandbag stations are part of a raft of measures, including a new Perth Community Flood Aid website.

And the surprise inclusion of a £20,000 grant in the Perth and Kinross Council budget means there’s much more that volunteers will be able to do in the months ahead.

Perth Community Flood Aid founder Janice Haig says it’s a busy time for the group.

Janice Haig standing beside the Craigie Burn in Perth. — Janice Haig at the Craigie Burn – a frequent source of flooding in Perth. Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson.

“There maybe hasn’t been a headline-grabbing flood for a couple of years,” she said.

“But that doesn’t mean there’s not work to be done.

“We’re not waiting until there’s an issue. We’re using our group to get all the knowledge we’ve gained out there.”

Sandbags part of strengthened response to flooding in Perth

The sandbag stations are located at Queen Street, Queens Avenue, Murray Crescent, Cherrybank and the Glenearn Road/Windsor Terrace junction.

They contain sandbags and other equipment, plus advice on building a sandbag wall and details of how to get in touch with Perth Community Flood Aid.

Metal container filled with sandbags with signs and flood protection equipment in front — One of the new sandbag stations. Image: Perth Community Flood Aid

The group worked closely with a number of Perth and Kinross Council departments on the project, as well as local businesses.

AiM Web Design is responsible for the website.

Janice, whose own home has been flooded repeatedly, says members are grateful to the authority for its support.

Perth Community Flood Aid was founded by residents in Craigie and Cherrybank following a series of devastating floods in recent years.

It helps locals access equipment and other support to protect their homes from flooding, and can provide advice to people from elsewhere.

Cars parked outside houses with water pouring down street and sandbags at garden gates — Flooding in Craigie in October 2023. Image: Steve MacDougall/DC Thomson

The group’s Facebook page has more than 800 members.

And Janice says the new website is a way to reach people who aren’t on social media.

The team are also developing new ways for communities to work together to protect their own homes and those of neighbours through local WhatsApp groups and other means.