Engineers to assess stability of Bervie Braes

12.00.00pm GMT Wed 17th Feb 2010

17th February 2010

Transport Scotland roads engineers will assess with Aberdeenshire Council's technical experts the current conditions of, and options to stabilise land at Bervie Braes.

The work was agreed following a meeting between Finance Secretary John Swinney and representatives of Aberdeenshire Council.

Mr Swinney is considering Aberdeenshire Councils request for funding to support land stabilisation of the area.

He said: "We take seriously the concerns that have been expressed about the stability of the Bervie Braes slopes and I have asked Transport Scotland engineers to give me full and urgent advice on the options.

"We will share the findings of this work with all responsible partners in assessing proposals on the way forward."

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Anne Robertson said: "We've had a constructive meeting with the Cabinet Secretary and welcome the commitment from Mr Swinney to take this matter seriously and to work closely with the council to find an appropriate solution."

Aberdeenshire Council requested £5.7 million from the Scottish Government in August 2009 to pay for the soil nailing of the upper and lower slopes as their preferred remedial options.

Stonehaven and Lower Deeside Councillor, Peter Bellarby, who has been campaigning for the Scottish Government to provide funding for Bervie Braes, said he was pleased to receive confirmation of this in a letter from John Swinney. Cllr Bellarby said "I hope these next steps start soon and don't take too long as we need to solve the Bervie Braes problem urgently. I am hopeful that a way forward can be found to provide a long term solution."

Fellow Councillor Mike Sullivan said "I suppose it is a prudent move to make sure the engineers have got it right."

Ground water levels at the Braes remain high, increasing the risk of landslide. The alert level is at the highest it has been and affected residents have been warded to be prepared to evacuate at short notice.

There was a multi-agency review of the emergency plan for Bervie Braes held on Monday (15 February). Cllr Peter Bellarby said "The review was a thorough one. It was particularly focussed on what should happen if there is an evacuation of residents so we will be better prepared should that be necessary."