Council set groundwork for stabilisation project

Work is due to start soon on the Bervie Braes, Stonehaven, after Aberdeenshire Council yesterday awarded the contract to stabilise the land to West Midlands firm, Forkers.


The £2.4million contract to stabilise the land involves building new drainage works to remove surface and ground water. The work follows two years of uncertainty about the stability of the land following a landslip in 2010 that lead to dozens of homes being evacuated.

Peter Argyle, Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “We are delighted that work is about to take place which will reduce the threat of future landslips affecting the properties at the bottom of the slope and create a safer environment for those living there.”

Richard Barnes, the only Braes resident whose home was destroyed by the landslips has been living in temporary accommodation in Stonehaven for two years and has received no compensation from the council.

Mr Barnes said: “We’ve been to public mettings, written letters to find out why they’ve discriminated against us, but they’re saying the stabilisation of the Braes will benefit the residents of Stonehaven. Except us, and we’re the only victims so far and the council steadfastly refuse to help. Anything we’ve got done, we’ve had to do privately.”

Ross Henderson