Argyll and Bute Council officers recently carried out an initial site investigation after repeated calls of concern regarding flooding at the Wee Kelpie – named Scotland’s best at the 2014 Scotland Entertainment Awards – on West Clyde Street.

At a meeting of the Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee on Tuesday, councillors reviewed the report and agreed on recommendations to carry out a further 'detailed site review’ conducted jointly with Scottish Water, with a view to providing flood gates as a 'gesture of goodwill’.

However the same day, shop owner Nicola Raeburn had already shelled out £500 for flood gates after a 'delayed response’ from the local authority. She said: “I requested that they provide myself and other businesses that flood with these gates as a temporary solution to prevent any further loss of income, damage to property, costs of paying staff to help with clear up etc.

“I requested this a month ago, due to the delay in them responding or taking any immediate action I have today (Tuesday) purchased a floodgate at a cost of £500 to my business. We don’t have the luxury of repeatedly discussing the flooding, we need action now. This is by no means a solution to what is a major problem.” Elected members heard that CHORD design, which had been constructed in accordance with the Scottish Water approved drawing, did not alter the road/footway finished levels, but the footways are now slightly wider with dedicated parking bays. In front of the Wee Kelpie the footways fall to a new drainage channel and footway gullies, which — provided Scottish Water’s infrastructure is not at capacity — works as designed.

However, Councillor James Robb suggested the CHORD works had 'altered the geometry’ of the site, which is at the lowest point of the seafront street.

The report also suggested limited capacity for capturing surface water at John Street and William Street may also be contributing to flooding at the Wee Kelpie. Speaking about a 'tidal surge’ of water in this area, Councillor Vivien Dance added: “There have been a change in conditions as a result of CHORD but this area wasn’t part of the CHORD works.” The report recommended the council and Scottish Water undertake a 'detailed site review of infrastructure and local connections’ in order to identify both short term and long term resolutions. Councillor David Kinniburgh added that another property elsewhere on Clyde Street purchased flood gates – which appeared to work well – and it was suggested the investigators approach this business for advice.

The motion was carried, however councillors Robb and Dance had suggested an amendment delegating officers pay out £500 to businesses affected by the flooding to mitigate the effects in the mean time.

Ms Raeburn confirmed that the water ingress is not only from the front of the shop, but also from drains which run under it, and despite assurances the new pavements would solve the problem, they are still flooding.

She said: “Standing in my shop it is quite clear that the camber of the road is significantly higher on the opposite side of the road which quite obviously directs any excess water straight into my premises. This is a disgrace. It has cost my business significantly more than £500 in the years gone by. I would like to thank csouncillors Robb and Dance for their support and common sense.” Ahead of forecast storm weather on Wednesday, Ms Raeburn took measures to sandbag her property.