Road into Aberdeenshire village ‘cut off’ by landslip during Storm Gerrit reopens after two nights

The road into Pennan has reopened two nights after the Aberdeenshire village was ‘cut off’ due to a landslip in Storm Gerrit.

Drivers are being advised to take care while using the B9031, which closed on Wednesday at the height of the wild weather.

Aberdeenshire Council workers cleared the debris, and a temporary concrete wall has been built to prevent further sliding while a permanent solution is found.

The road was closed while work was carried out, which prevented residents from entering or leaving the village.

The debris blocking the road was gradually cleared away yesterday but it was not safe to fully reopen until today.

Photos taken at the scene show where mud and rocks had fallen down a small grass hill onto the road.

Council to ‘identify a permanent solution’ following Pennan landslip

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “We were made aware of a landslip on the main road into Pennan on Wednesday evening, with the extent of the slip requiring closure of the road with immediate effect on safety grounds.

“A further site visit was carried out and a temporary solution developed through the construction of a temporary wall using precast ‘lego’ blocks.

“This should provide an adequate restraint to the bottom of the slip while allowing sufficient room for vehicles to pass.

“Further investigations will be carried out in due course to identify a permanent solution to the issue.”

Pennan road one of many closed during Storm Gerrit

Storm Gerrit brought severe wind and rain to Aberdeenshire on Wednesday and Thursday.

Several roads were closed due to landslips, fallen trees and flooding.

The A96 at Huntly was closed for around 30 hours to due severe flooding.

The A9 was also closed overnight at Scrabster, in Caithness, due to another landslip.