Storm Gerrit recovery update provided by Aberdeenshire Council including work on Pennan landslip
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In the aftermath of Storm Gerrit, Aberdeenshire Council has provided an update indicating it is an improving picture across much of the region.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: "Teams from SSEN continue to make good progress in restoring power to customers in the north of Scotland.
"Supplies have been successfully restored to more than 34,000 customers – but around 1500 properties are still without power in the north-east area. We will continue to share SSEN messaging around locations of welfare vans tomorrow (Friday).
"Our roads teams are making good progress with the clearing of routes closed due to flooding or fallen trees, but some roads do remain closed and please bear with us as they continue their efforts.
"Amey has confirmed that the A96 trunk road at Huntly remains closed today (Thursday) although there are advertised diversions through the town.
"SEPA has warned that while river levels at Kintore have peaked and are now receding, levels will remain high throughout today (Thursday).
"Significant water levels remain likely on the B977 and surrounding agricultural land adjacent to the river and there is also still a risk of flooding to Castle Hill and Kingsfield Road.
"Remain vigilant and remember, it is your responsibility to take actions which help protect yourself and your property.
"Meanwhile, there’s an updated SEPA flood alert for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City with a combination of high tides and high winds bringing a risk of localised flooding from waves to low lying land and roads in exposed coastal locations today (Thursday).
"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 this morning 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 and emergency services have been duly advised.
"We hope the road will reopen to road users tomorrow (Friday). Further investigations will be carried out in due course to identify a permanent solution to the issue.
"Weatherwise it’s going to get increasingly breezy with outbreaks of rain overnight with sleet across higher roads – we could see 3-5cm of snow the ski roads tonight.
"Road surface temperatures are going to fall widely below zero with a high risk of ice and hoar frost and the majority of priority routes will be getting treated this afternoon with remaining areas on standby should treatment be required.
"However, the sheer volume of water still on the network may impact on the effectiveness of the treatment, so please take care if you are out on the roads tonight and tomorrow and please drive to the conditions.
"The entire fleet will also be out from 5.30am tomorrow morning, with footway treatment commencing from around 7am and secondary routes from 8am."
To see the council’s planned gritting for each day, visit: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/roads/winter-maintenance/gritting-routes
SSEN updates are via Powertrack https://powertrack.ssen.co.uk/powertrack#MR4619
SEPA advice and information at sepa.org.uk/floodingsignup
Visit https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings for the latest weather warnings.
