The First Minister has pledged to help “wherever we can” following pleas for emergency funding to remedy the destruction of last week’s Aberdeenshire floods.
Seven vital bridges collapsed, road surfaces were destroyed and homes and businesses were left waterlogged by sudden heavy downpours on Saturday.
The flash-flooding left some people, in areas including Banff, King Edward and Gamrie, effectively cut off by road from their surroundings.
Full repairs are expected to take several months and cost Aberdeenshire Council millions of pounds.
North-east flash flood leaves months of repairs and disruption in its wake
Yesterday, Scottish Conservative MSP Peter Chapman called on the Scottish Government to provide extra funding to restore the region’s infrastructure, citing the severe impact it is having on residents and businesses.
Nicola Sturgeon replied: “We will continue in dialogue with Aberdeenshire Council, as we do with any council that suffers from the kind of severe weather that was suffered in Aberdeenshire last week.
“There are recognised and well-used schemes in place, but in addition to that we have ongoing dialogue with councils and will seek to help wherever we can.
“I know how much of an impact the flash flooding had and how much of that impact is still being felt.
“We want to make sure that impact is mitigated as soon as possible.”
One of those affected was vegetable farmer Philip Benzie of Gairnieston Farm, which employs 100 people.
He said: “Aberdeenshire Council needs emergency funding from somewhere and the Scottish Government needs to step in.
“It’s had a huge impact on our business and we’re having to put extra resources in to get the crops home.”
Mr Chapman said: “The scenes last weekend were horrendous and the extent of the damage in the aftermath of this severe weather is considerable.
“Businesses and residents are facing significant disruption as a result and Aberdeenshire Council is simply not in a position to meet a repair bill that will run to millions of pounds.
“I hope that Nicola Sturgeon’s welcome words will be followed up by real action to provide extra, emergency funds for Aberdeenshire to recover from this.”
