SNP North East MSP Maureen Watt has welcomed the announcement by
Finance Secretary John Swinney MSP that the Scottish Government has
agreed to contribute £2 million to a £3 million package of
stabilisation works on the Bervie Braes in Stonehaven.

Engineers from
Transport Scotland advised that this was the sum needed to undertake
the work and it has been agreed that the remaining funds will be
contributed by Aberdeenshire Council.

John Swinney MSP personally visited the Bervie Braes recently to
see the damage caused by the recent landslips and had promised that he
would reach a quick decision on the issue.

Commenting Ms Watt said:

“I welcome the speed with which John Swinney reached this decision and
the reassurance it will give affected residents who now know that work
will be taking place to protect their properties. The Finance Secretary
promised a quick decision on the issue and I am glad to see that this
is precisely what we have got.

“It is a substantial amount of funding, but I firmly believe that
stabilising the Bervie Braes is the right thing to do and I share
residents of Stonehaven’s delight that this work will now be going
ahead.

“It has been an extremely alarming time for affected
residents, but it has shown once again that Stonehaven pulls together
as a community when faced with difficulties. I hope that work can now
be put to tender and undertaken in a similarly speedy manner and put an
end to the threat of the cliffs causing further damage.”