Stonehaven flood protection scheme resumes

Aberdeenshire Council said in their latest release that preparatory works on the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme will resume this week.

Contractors McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd – who first began construction back in March last year – came off site in March following Scottish Government advice on construction sites in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Principal Engineer for Major Projects, Rachel Kennedy, said: “The contractors will initially be bringing a small number of personnel onto the site who will be erecting signage and making adaptations to welfare units and offices.

“In due course, additional personnel will join them to restart the pumping equipment on site and to make general site preparations to enable construction works to commence as the Scottish Government phases permit.”

Works on the scheme – which is designed to protect homes and businesses which have previously been badly affected by flooding events around the River Carron – was expected to be completed late spring next year, however timescales will have to be revised, said the council.

The level of protection the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme will provide is well above the current standard required by the Association of British Insurers and will reduce the flood risk to 372 residential properties, two public utility sites, a school and an emergency service site.