LOCAL MP SECURES ACTION OVER WHITEHILLS FLOOD PROBLEM

WHITEFORD HOPEFUL THAT END IS IN SIGHT FOR RESIDENTS’ PROBLEMS

Following a meeting with officials from Scottish Water and Aberdeenshire Council on Friday afternoon (28th January) Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford is hopeful that a solution to flooding problems in Whitehills may have been found.

The Banffshire community has suffered from increasingly severe problems in recent years, with periods of heavy rain resulting in flooding in a number of streets in the town. In the course of the past year, there were severe incidents on 21st May, 11th August and 23rd September. Following pressure from Dr Whiteford and local residents, Scottish Water and the Council agreed to a joint meeting with the local MP and Whitehills community representatives.

Speaking after Friday’s meeting, Dr Whiteford said:

Whitehills residents Mr and Mrs Addison with
Eilidh Whiteford alongside some of the problem drains
in Seafield Street

"Investigations by Aberdeenshire Council officials revealed that there was a problem with the drainage system in the fields behind Reidhaven Street. An important pipe, designed to take run-off water out to sea, had become blocked by a large plastic plant-pot. Happily, this has now been removed.

“In the meantime, Scottish Water has discovered that four of the drains in Seafield Street are not connected to any part of the drainage system. Up until now, these drains have been little more than ornamental.”

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed that further action is necessary to divert run-off water, which flows down from the high end of Seafield Street during heavy rain. Provided that this excess water can be prevented from reaching the village, Scottish Water has agreed that they can act to reconnect all of the drains in Seafield Street.

The Banff & Buchan MP continued:

"Following investigations, Scottish Water and Aberdeenshire Council have identified measures that they hope will resolve the flooding problems in Whitehills. Aberdeenshire Council flood prevention officers have identified relatively simple steps they can take that would enable Scottish Water to connect the ‘ornamental’ drains without fear of creating further problems in the village. The ball is now in Aberdeenshire Council’s court, and I will be asking them to undertake the necessary work as a matter of urgency. It’s very important that this problem is addressed before Spring when further heavy rain may cause problems. After at least three serious incidents in the last year alone, people living in the affected streets in Whitehills have put up with enough, and need an early resolution to this problem.

“The fact that a flower pot was blocking an essential drainage pipe highlights the role members of the local community can play in spotting problems. Council staff have encouraged those who walk or exercise their dogs in the surrounding countryside to keep an eye out for possible blockages in drainage pipes and gullies, so that problems can be reported and action taken as necessary.”