Renfrewshire Council have confirmed their multi-million pound flood prevention barrier was not in use as water from the River Clyde spilled into Renfrew streets.
Bars. restaurants and gyms were all hit by the tide of water that flooded Ferry Road and beyond during heavy downpours and windy weather on Saturday night.
One business, Foundry Gym, was left mopping up their entire downstairs space with much of their gym equipment doused in water.
Sharing footage of the destruction, a spokesperson from the gym said: "The sheer volume of water that entered our gym was devastating.
"Large areas of the premises were completely flooded, leaving us with an enormous clean-up operation and significant disruption.
"Seeing the gym we’ve worked so hard to build in this condition has been absolutely heart-breaking."
Speaking to the Gazette the business owner raised concerns over why the multi-million pound barrier which includes a three-metre high embankment was not in use at the time of the storm.
The North Renfrew Flood Prevention Scheme installed in 2016 includes the flood barrier and pumping station at Fingal Road.
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed the pumping station was in use over the weekend.
Echoing concerns, as the owners of McGregor's Bar on Meadowside Street, near to the River Clyde, who said "serious questions need answered".
He said: "We have a serious amount of cleaning up ahead of us. We need to allow all the electrics to dry out safely before we can even begin to assess the full extent, as well as damages to the roof.
"We are absolutely heartbroken for ourselves and for all the other local businesses & neighbours in the ferry area who’s cars and property have been affected by this especially our neighbours at Ferry Nice Food.
"Some serious questions needing answered tomorrow as to why there was no flood preventions in place and our flood defence wasn’t in use."
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said that the weather forecast did not indicate levels as high as was experienced over the weekend and that they are reviewing procedure.
They said: “The available forecast data and information for the severe weather at the weekend, which included the predicted tide levels for the Clyde, did not meet the currently set threshold for activating the flood barriers in Renfrew.
"Unfortunately, the water levels which affected various locations on the estuary, raised significantly above predicted levels resulting in some local flooding.
"We will review the arrangements in place to ensure these procedures reflect the impacts of a changing climate environment.”
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