RUMBLES CALLS FOR BERVIE BRAE TALKS WITH GOVT

9.15.00am GMT Fri 5th Feb 2010

West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles today asked Finance Secretary John Swinney for an urgent meeting to discuss funding to stabilise Stonehaven's Bervie Braes.

60 homeowners have been told to prepare to evacuate as a result of increased groundwater levels and the increased risk of landslip.

Mr Rumbles first wrote to the Scottish Government to ask for funding to stabilise the Braes in August 2007. He has written again today to Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney, asking him for an urgent meeting to bring forward the necessary funding.

Commenting Mike Rumbles said: "We are at crisis point at the Bervie Braes. We cannot have a situation where 60 homes are forced to be on constant evacuation alert.

"I first made the Scottish Government aware of this situation nearly three years ago. We only have to look at Pennan to see the disastrous consequences that can arise if work is not taken to stabilise areas prone to landslip.

"I have written today to John Swinney to ask for an urgent meeting with myself and representatives of Aberdeenshire Council to discuss this issue. We cannot afford to wait any longer."