Aberdeenshire Council issues latest Storm Babet update as gritter overturns
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Aberdeenshire Council has issued its latest update with regards to Storm Babet.
A spokesman said: "We may have seen the back of Storm Babet but this morning we’ve seen temperatures drop sharply causing ice on the roads network.
"Our gritting crews were out across Aberdeenshire last night and again at 5.30am. Sadly an experienced gritter driver hit a patch of iced flood water at Hatton of Fintray and overturned.
"We understand that he has suffered some bruising and was understandably shaken up but thankfully has not suffered any serious injury.
"It sharply emphasises the dangers our crews face tackling such conditions and we would urge motorists to take extreme care if you are venturing onto the network today.
"Even though there are no weather warnings in force anymore, it is so important you drive carefully if you are out and about today. Slow down and drive to the conditions.
"Our Roads and Landscape teams are back out again today checking on damage caused across our 3500-mile road network and impacted communities.
"Road inspections will continue in the weeks to come but given the scale of rainfall plus high winds over the last few days, there could be extensive damage to our road network. We welcome the support of residents in reporting damage to roads.
"Not surprisingly our harbours took a real bashing during Storm Babet and our teams are still assessing widespread damage not only to the infrastructure but to vessels moored within them.
"Stonehaven in particular suffered significant impacts – with railings becoming twisted and torn and in places removed completely, large sections of tarmac deck being washed out and bulk head lights being damaged.
"A number of vessels have been righted and safely re-moored and are being assessed by their owners – we can confirm that there were no pollution events observed or reported to SEPA and any fuel on board remained contained.
"Stonehaven boardwalk was badly affected and was closed off by community representatives on Saturday. The bridge at Mineralwell Park across the River Cowie has also been closed and we would encourage people to avoid these areas for their own safety.
"There are no reports of damaged bus stop infrastructure but we will continue to inspect. All in-house transport services are again operating as are all A2B dial-a-bus services.
"We have had to temporarily relocate tenants at one of our sheltered housing schemes where there was water ingress causing issues to alarm systems.
"We have no other known issues other than increased repairs to council housing from storm damage which we continue to assess.
"All Live Life Aberdeenshire sports venues will all be open as normal this morning and we fully expect all our libraries, museums and Macduff Marine Aquarium to also open after local assessments this morning.
"Social media pages will be updated if there are any issues and if you want to check before you visit contact details are available at www.livelifeaberdeenshire.org.uk
"We can also confirm that Bennachie Visitor Centre at Pitcaple has reopened.
"All our service points have now re-opened having been closed last week to divert staff onto our helpline.
"All Household Recycling Centres are open and operational today – no damage caused at any of our sites. Household waste collections are also operating as normal across the region.
"Routes missed at the end of last week will be picked up over the next couple of days, although there may still be some areas that we cannot get access including the Slug Road which remains closed at Blairydrine after part of the road was washed away. We would aim to return to those when we are able to get access.
"Our street cleansing teams are also out cleaning up and we will be working with roads service in prioritising areas during the rest of this week."
The dedicated Storm Babet page has also been updated.
