A MOPPING-UP operation has been underway in Renfrewshire this week after severe flooding caused extensive damage.

Abandoned cars were left submerged in water and a number of buildings were wrecked as heavy rainfall and powerful winds battered local towns and villages, with rivers bursting their banks.

Lochwinnoch was one of the worst-hit areas as the River Calder, swelled by the deluge, temporarily turned some stretches of road into waterways.

Residents told how the village became an ‘island’ as they were left cut off by the flooding.

The A760, which is the main road in and out of Lochwinnoch and provides access to its train station, was left impassable, with villagers complaining this was the fourth time in less than six months that it had been shut down.

Lochwinnoch Primary School was closed on Friday as the woeful conditions took their toll.

And, as they continued to keep a close eye on the weather forecast yesterday, some Lochwinnoch residents accused Renfrewshire Council of showing little concern for the village’s problems.

Kerry Mackendrick, who lives in Main Street, told The Gazette: “The road and the access to the train station was completely cut off and it meant people couldn’t get out of the village.

“Cars were stranded in Lochlip Road and, the day after, an Asda delivery van also got stuck.

READ MORE: More dramatic footage shows cars driving through flooded Renfrewshire street

“The council has a big problem if it ever has to review its flood prevention measures as improving them in Lochwinnoch could then affect people further away in the likes of Johnstone and Paisley.

“We have three bridges into Lochwinnoch and they all have their own problems.”

However, there was also praise for council staff who worked through the night to tackle problems caused by flooding.

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Auchenlodment Road, in Johnstone, was among the carriageways which had to be closed, with special equipment brought in to clear water from the worst-affected areas.

A window blew out at the historic Steeple Hall, in Kilbarchan, and sandbags were handed out to homeowners, in a bid to protect properties.

Council chiefs insist they are doing all they can to tackle flooding issues in Renfrewshire.

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “During the extreme weather conditions over the weekend, our roads, building services and streetscene teams worked around the clock to respond to a significant number of calls relating to Renfrewshire roads and buildings, providing road and gully cleaning and offering assistance to residents and businesses. Vehicles were deployed to pump out water and clear roads, while 22 pallets of sandbags were deployed to assist homeowners and industrial premises subject to flooding.

“We work hard to reduce the risk of flooding and have an ongoing programme to inspect and clear watercourses, including in Lochwinnoch.”

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