Council staff commended for work on storm damage

18th May 2013

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Work has been completed on clean ups and repairs at 21 locations throughout the Highlands that were affected by the 14/15 December storm in 2012.

Members of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community (TEC) Services Committee were updated yesterday on works completed and works still in progress at Portmahomack and Balintore Harbours.

Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, Councillor Graham Phillips welcomed the report, he said: “Great progress has been made to repair the Council’s harbour facilities and coastal defences at a steady pace and the work that TEC Services has done should be applauded. We will continue to provide advice and support to privately owned facilities that have been affected by the December storm.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry added: “A huge thanks to all staff involved – the work done on the ground was stupendous. To see the clean up after the spectacular damage that occurred was inspiring. We must praise all the staff involved that did this work around the area.”

The 21 locations where works have been completed include: Portskerra; John O’Groats Harbour; Freswick Harbour; Ackergill Harbour; Staxigoe Harbour; Victoria Street Wick; Scalesburn Wick; Lybster Harbour Road; Latheron Harbour; Dunbeath Harbour breakwater, steps and picnic site; Helmsdale Harbour; Brora Harbour; Golspie; Embo; Portmahomack armouring; Dornoch Golf Course; Hilton; Balintore armouring; Shandwick; Rosemarkie and Nairn.

Work is still required at Dunbeath Harbour where consultants have been commissioned to prepare a report on repairs to the parapet. At Portmahomack repairs to the structure of the wave wall are nearing completion and a contract has been let to repair / replace the structure of the pier deck.

Members advised that the total cost of completing the works was currently estimated at £1.5m (which is less than the original estimate of £2.5m) and that the Scottish Government provided financial support for the repair of Balintore Harbour (£100k) and Portmahomack Harbour (£50k), independent of the Belwin Scheme.

A further report providing details of final costs will be submitted to a future Committee.