BRAES ALERT IS LIFTED
RESIDENTS living under the Bervie Braes are breathing a sigh of relief after being told the alert status has been reduced back to zero.
Almost 100 residents were evacuated from their homes in February after heavy rain caused a mudslide along the unstable braes.
Aberdeenshire Council has been continually monitoring the slopes and, following the recent spell of good weather, water levels at Stonehaven's Bervie Braes have now dropped enough to reopen public footpaths in the area.
Because ground-water levels were unusually high, residents and visitors were advised to stay away from the area, but now paths leading to Dunnottar Castle and the war memorial will be opened to the public once again.
Area Manager Willie Munro said: "Ground water levels have been regularly monitored and they continue to fall, albeit at a much slower rate than expected.
"Within the last few days water levels in all monitoring stand pipes have finally dropped to below the trigger levels at which slope instability could be anticipated.
"As a result, we have reviewed the current level of risk, and consequential alert status."
A visual inspection of the slope showed no evidence of recent or imminent ground movements and, taking recent weather and ongoing forecasts into account, it was decided to drop the alert status back to level 0, which represents normal conditions.
Barriers and signage advising walkers to stay off the slopes at the Braes for their own safety have been set aside and will be uplifted in the next couple of days.
Paths in the area are very popular with residents and visitors to the town alike, particularly during the summer season.
Mr Munro added: "I am particularly pleased that the popular footpath between the harbour and the war memorial and castle can now reopen for the tourist season."
Monitoring of ground water levels and weather conditions will continue, and appropriate action will be taken should either give fresh cause for concern.
The frequency of monitoring will reduce to standard levels but will increase if circumstances change.
Community council chairman David Fleming said that it was "very good news." He said: "This is good news for Stonehaven. It means that residents and tourists alike can use the braes for walking and enjoying the facilities around Stonehaven.
"This news will also put to rest the minds of residents living under the braes."
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Weather for Stonehaven
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 43 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
