A Dumfries businesswoman has called for action rather than arguments over the Whitesands.
Ivano’s takeaway owner Carol Williamson said the status quo on the flood risk site must be changed.
Her warning over the future of the area comes as a six week public consultation period continues on the process of the controversial £25 million scheme.
She said: “Unless Dumfries changes its tactics, the flooding will only get worse.
“From a financial perspective, how much does it cost the taxpayer to deal with flooding?
“It’s been years with this project and we’re no further forward now from when we started really.
“I appreciate people have their views on this particular scheme but we need to do something. If nothing is done then nobody will invest in the area.
“Tourism in Dumfries is shockingly bad but if something was done on the Whitesands then people would come to see it.”
The council say the £25 million scheme would “largely remove the threat of flooding” and have a positive impact on the area and Dumfries in general.
Opponents, including group Save Our Sands, say the project doesn’t represent value for money and doesn’t have community support. John Dowson of the group called on a referendum on the subject last week.
Ms Williamson has been in business on the Whitesands for 16 years and has felt the brunt of flooding in the past and wants a change.
She added: “The do nothing approach can’t be tolerated any longer.
“Something has to be done. With regards to a referendum; the scheme was agreed in 2015 and people are allowed to change their minds in that time.
“Climate change wasn’t as big an issue at the time and it should be given serious consideration now.
“I also understand people will look at the ghost of DG1 hanging over the council but doing nothing isn’t an option.”
