15 September 2016

Further Storm Frank repair work to begin in Ballater

Repairs around the River Dee at Ballater following damage done during Storm Frank are expected to start next week.

Following a tender exercise, Aberdeenshire Council has appointed a local contractor to carry out work on its behalf.

Forty metres of damaged bund along the riverside, which helps the river maintain its course, will be reinstated.

Armour stone will be placed at the toe of the embankment, earthworks will be done to reinstate the embankment to its existing profile and erosion control material installed.

The tender also includes removal of the existing one-tonne sandbags on Salisbury Road.

CR Contracting of Ballogie, near Aboyne, won the contract, worth around £15,000.

The work is expected to start on September 21, with riverside works complete by October 17 and the whole project finished by November 7.

Chair of the Marr Area Committee, Moira Ingleby, said: "This will continue the work to restore Ballater to its former glory which both the council and the community have been involved in since the terrible events at the turn of the year.

“Although it won’t ensure the town is never flooded by another exceptional weather event, it does restore and build on the protection which was there previously.”

Vice chair John Latham added: “Storm Frank obviously had a major impact on various parts of Aberdeenshire, but Ballater was one of the hardest hit and continues to feel the effect.

“Although working around a river course can be complicated, expensive and time consuming it’s good to see this repair work will be complete before the coming winter and I’m sure it will provide some comfort to the local community.”