Jo quizzes Government over reservoir fence

10.11.17am GMT Mon 1st Mar 2010

Jo has stepped up her efforts to see the removal of the controversial security railings that surround the Milngavie reservoir.

It has been reported that the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) has given permission for Scottish Water to remove the fencing, subject to 'protective measures' being put in place.

Jo put a Parliamentary question to the Home Office, which is reported to have ordered Scottish Water to erect the fence in 2003 in response to the threat of terrorism.

Although Scottish Water says the CPNI has approved the removal of the fencing, Policing and Security Minister David Hanson denied that there had been any discussions with Scottish Water or Scottish Ministers.

Scottish Water has been waiting 10 months for approval from Scottish Ministers to remove the fences.

Commenting, Jo said:

"I find it strange that while Scottish Water is saying the CPNI has given it permission to remove the fences around Milngavie Reservoir, the Minister responsible says no such discussion has taken place. It seems the right hand does now know what the left hand is doing.

"Now that there is an adequate filtration system in place, there is no reason why the so-called security fence cannot be taken down without delay, and I have written to the CPNI to find out what 'protective measures' it is looking for.

''Scottish Ministers must now approve funding for the removal of the fences, and I hope to find out why this has been delayed for so long."

The text of Jo's question to the Home Office appears below:

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with (i) Ministers in the Scottish Executive and (ii) representatives of Scottish Water on the public security issues concerning the erection of fences around Milngavie reservoir; what security threat the fences are intended to address; what recent assessment he has made of the requirement for such security fencing; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanson: There have been no recent discussions or correspondence between Home Office Ministers and Scottish Ministers or representatives of Scottish Water on public security issues concerning the erection of fences around Milngavie reservoir.

In line with our long-standing policy, we do not comment on matters of national security.