Water levels raise concerns over condition of embankment
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Turriff Community Council and MP David Duguid have both asked local residents to take care next to water courses in the Haughs.
The request has been prompted by recent flooding and an incident in which a young girl had to be rescued from the Turriff burn which saw a local mum jump in and pull the girl to safety.
In a statement the Community Council said: "We have requested urgent action from Aberdeenshire Council.
"The issue with the flooded burn is our first priority so we have asked for it to be fenced off as a temporary measure to avoid any further danger.
"We are aware of the child falling in, so this an extremely important issue to be addressed.
"The further issue and probable cause of the flooding is, as we all suspect, where the Turra burn bank has collapsed, meaning it now also flows into the Gassie burn, making the flow a lot faster and deeper.
"This is being looked into by various organisations, and we appreciate that it is not happening quick enough for everyone, but we want you all to know that we are doing everything we can to try to speed it along.
Following this, MP David Duguid has written to Aberdeenshire Council and SEPA about flooding issues in Turriff including the repeat recently of water damage around the Turriff United football ground
Mr Duguid said: “I have been contacted by representatives of the football club and the Turriff Show committee – as well as concerned constituents – about the flooding in the town.
“It appears that erosion has led to a collapse in the bank at the Burn of Turriff, which has in turn meant that the Gassie Burn has is above its normal level, even without the extra rainfall.
“Pictures on social media show flood water in the showground and around the Ferguson Hall.
“I know that Aberdeenshire Council will be stretched today with widespread flooding across the north-east, but the erosion issues in Turriff were already known before the bank burst a couple of weeks ago.
“I was particularly concerned by the reports that a young girl fell into the burn this week.
"Fortunately, she was rescued by a passer-by, but the outcome could have been much worse.
“I have asked the council to let me know what is being done in the short-term and the long-term to rectify this dangerous situation.”
Aberdeenshire Council have been contacted for a response to the situation.
