Urgent Action needed on Bervie Braes - Cllr Peter Bellarby

5.30.00pm GMT Thu 25th Feb 2010

Aberdeenshire Council is evacuating homes below Bervie Braes, Stonehaven, following heavy rain and five landslips in one day.

Stonehaven Councillor, Peter Bellarby, said: "I am really sorry for all the residents the Council has had to advise to evacuate. It is a very worrying situation for them as it is unclear when they might be able to return to their homes. The Council's emergency evacuation plan has worked well but urgent action is needed now to stabilise the Braes."

John Swinney, at a recent meeting in Aberdeen, said that he was asking Transport Scotland engineers to meet Aberdeenshire Council engineers so that he could be advised on the current condition of the Braes and be given an assessment of the options available to stabilise the Braes.

Cllr Bellarby has contacted John Swinney to urge him to ensure that the engineers provide that advice without further delay so that a decision about funding from the Scottish Government can be made. Cllr Bellarby said: "The Scottish Government must provide funds. That is the only way that work can be done on the Braes to provide a long term solution. Surely they must see from the landslips that have occurred today that action is needed with no more delay. The Scottish Government must respond to the plight of the residents who stay under the Braes."