Councillors have backed plans for a £15million flood protection scheme in a Mearns town – almost six years after it was swamped amid a deluge.
The local authority’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee yesterday paved the way for the Stonehaven project to start.
It includes a package of measures aimed at stopping the River Carron bursting its banks again and causing a repeat of the severe flooding the town suffered in 2009 and 2012.
The work is being funded by £24.2million set aside in Aberdeenshire Council’s capital plan for the protection of all the region’s harbours, coasts and flood risk areas between now and 2030.
Last night, Stonehaven Community Council’s planning spokesman, Phil Mills-Bishop, said he was “delighted” by the “commitment” made to the town.
He said: “It is fantastic that we have got the formal order, certainly the community council is going to give 110% so that it is done expeditiously.
“If there are complaints or objections then the whole thing begins to slow down.”
Stonehaven councillor Graeme Clark said: “The last few years there has not been a really nasty flood and all Stonehaven councillors know the horrible conditions we had.
“People were out of their houses a long time and if we can start building these defences we can give people confidence. That is what it is about.”
However, Mearns councillor Dave Stewart said swifter action was needed to put flood protection schemes in place in the area.
The Stonehaven project includes new flood walls along the River Carron’s boundaries in the town and a flood wall with a self-closing barrier between White Bridge and the Bridgefield crossing.
Councillors also approved the area’s flood management and coast protection programme for 2015-16.
Included are £21,000 of shingle management operations in Stonehaven and Inverbervie and £23,000 of wall repairs along the River Cowie.