Dougall Baillie Associates has been appointed to carry out flood studies across at-risk communities in Aberdeenshire.

The consultancy will work in partnership with JBA Consulting to explore measures for greater flood protection for Ellon, Insch, Inverurie and Port Elphinstone. Work will start this month and will be completed by Spring 2019.

For Ellon, the study has the potential to reduce flood risk to residential and non-residential properties; roads and a school, with potential damages avoided of up to £6.1 million.

In addition, the study for Inverurie and Port Elphinstone has the potential to reduce flood risk to residential and non-residential properties and roads, with potential damages avoided of up to £6.8m.

Further study work in Insch could potentially save up to £6.3m in damages to residential and non-residential properties; roads and a healthcare facility.

The two firms will work in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, the communities and other interested parties to develop measures to reduce flood risk.

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If the measures are considered feasible, outputs from the studies such as a preferred Flood Protection Scheme will then be considered in the national prioritisation process for Scottish Government funding, for construction in the 2022 – 2027 Local Flood Risk Management Plan.

Chairman of the council's Infrastructure Services Committee (ISC), Peter Argyle, said: "Both Ellon and Inverurie were the victims of devastating flooding in early 2016. In Ellon, approximately 65 residential properties and three businesses were flooded, while in Inverurie and Port Elphinstone around 95 houses and approximately 14 businesses were flooded. Fortunately, Insch did not suffer on this occasion, but was still vulnerable.

"The progression of these studies is a significant step forward in the delivery of actions within the Local Flood Risk Management Plan and I'm sure will be welcomed by these communities.

"It is important that they are carried out thoroughly and although the timescales for potential physical measures to be put in place may seem lengthy, Aberdeenshire Council has to work in accordance with SEPA's Flood Risk Management Strategies and this is a complex process."

ISC Vice Chair, John Cox, added: "These flood studies are an important part of the process of moving towards developing a Flood Protection Scheme, seen recently in Huntly and Stonehaven.

"They will provide valuable information on the best way to reduce flood risk, while making the most of the limited funding available for such schemes, allowing the council to make informed decisions which are in the best interests of these communities and Aberdeenshire as a whole."

(LM)