NOW IT'S UP TO SWINNEY
ABERDEENSHIRE Council is currently awaiting a decision by Finance Secretary John Swinney, who visited Stonehaven last weekend, on whether the government will provide funding for major stabilisation works on the braes.
Mr Swinney has promised to make a quick decision on the matter, once Transport Scotland have compiled a report on the most appropriate action to make the area safe.
Mr Swinney said: "I had a very constructive meeting with Stonehaven and District Community Council and with local elected representatives to discuss the very challenging circumstances that exist here at Bervie Braes. I was struck when visiting the affected areas by the scale of the problems that residents have experienced and I very much sympathise with the difficulties they face.
"I have authorised Transport Scotland engineers to work urgently with the local authority to examine the situation. That work has already started and I am expecting an urgent report on the remedial action that's required. I will give that immediate consideration on behalf of the Scottish Government."
He added: "Our approach will depend on the advice that I get from officials who have to look in detail at the work that's been undertaken. That has to form the basis of their advice and I will discuss that with Aberdeenshire Council. I want to make sure that the Scottish Government has all the information that it requires to allow me to come to a decision.
"This landslip has taken place on private property but clearly there is a very serious problem that affects the householders living beneath Bervie Braes. In this circumstance the Government is taking a very constructive approach with Aberdeenshire Council in identifying the best course of action to try and remedy this problem.
"There is a real sense of urgency. I'm giving this issue very urgent attention and I will take a swift decision once I have seen advice from officials."
Stonehaven Community Council chairman David Fleming welcomed Mr Swinney's comments and said: "I'm much more optimistic than I was three months ago. I am very grateful that John Swinney took a lot of time and trouble to visit Stonehaven, and made a point of seeing the whole length of the Bervie Braes from the harbour to Invercarron lodge.
"We then had a very productive meeting at which it was clear that John Swinney wishes to make an early decision on this."
He added: "At the meeting, the Transport Scotland engineer estimated that his report to John Swinney would be available by the end of the current week. John Swinney would then consider that report and make a decision as soon as possible thereafter."
Stonehaven and Lower Deeside councillor Peter 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."
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Sir Robert Smith said: "These were constructive talks and I am pleased that John Swinney has clearly considered the situation at Bervie Braes very carefully. Now that he has acknowledged that this is exactly the same situation as Pennan, where the Scottish Government provided funding two years ago, there is a clear precedent for government funding and that must come soon."
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles added: "John Swinney is now acutely aware of the very serious situation at Bervie Braes and I am now hopeful that we will get a positive response from him on funding. It is just unfortunate to say the least that we had to wait until we had these landslips to get to this stage, rather than the government taking preventative action."
Greg Williams, Labour candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, was also critical of the way the situation had been handled and said: "The families who have had to abandon their homes have a right to know why they have been left in this situation. A study on the stability of the Braes was first started back in 2006. It then took the Lib Dems and Tories in the Aberdeenshire Council two years to decide on a option to shore up the Braes. If they took decisive action following the 2007 slippage, this repeat may have been avoided."
He added: "Then incredibly, four years later, the best thing the SNP government have to offer is yet another study, this time from Transport Scotland. I'm dumbfounded at the inertia of local government, and the Scottish Government's subsequent snub."
Aberdeenshire Council have said there had been no further developments at the braes, at the time of going to press. Engineers are continuing to closely monitor the situation, and barriers and signage advising people to stay off the slopes have been erected.
People who have chosen to return to their homes have been asked to remain vigilant and report any changes on the Braes to the local authority. The evacuation advice will remain in place until further notice.
The helpline remains open for any residents who need help or support. The helpline number is: 08456 08 12 06.
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Weather for Stonehaven
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
