A MAJOR summit should be held to try to stop flooding in Inverclyde, an MSP said today.

Stuart McMillan called for a ‘collective approach’ to address persistent problems, and he is trying to bring key figures together.

The MSP wants Scottish Government ministers to be involved in the talks.

He said: “I intend to initiate a flooding summit for Inverclyde. I have written to the minister for the environment, Aileen McLeod MSP, minister for transport, Derek Mackay MSP, and John Mundell, the chief executive of Inverclyde Council, to consider a strategic long-term approach to ease the recurrent flooding problem in Inverclyde.”

Mr McMillan highlighted the investment coming to Inverclyde through the multi-million pound City Deal project, which includes £10m for improvements to Inchgreen Drydock, and questioned whether some of the funds could be used for better flood defences on the A8.

He said: “As far I am aware, full project details have not yet been designed. It is worthwhile to see if there is an opportunity to integrate some additional flood measures into this project.

“Flooding in Inverclyde has been around for many years, and it is now imperative that a longer term plan is devised.”