McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering has announced the successful completion of the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme project, designed to protect homes and businesses which have previously been badly affected by flooding events around the River Carron.

Works included construction of 2km of flood walls, the installation of two higher capacity culverts and alterations to five bridges, including the refurbishment and reinstatement of the listed White Bridge, along the River Carron and its tributaries as they pass through Stonehaven.

The scheme also featured innovative self-raising flood barriers, a pump system for surface water flooding and the creation of a large culvert that provides additional capacity during a flood event. Aesthetically the scheme has been finished in a granite stonework with sandstone and granite cope stones to match the surrounding environment.

Seamus Devlin, McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering Director, commented: "We are delighted to have completed our works at Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme for Aberdeenshire Council. The new scheme, which was constructed during the challenging Covid pandemic, will be a real benefit to the local community, helping to reduce the risk of flooding to 372 residential properties, as well as two public utility sites and a school."

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Philip McKay, Head of the Aberdeenshire Council's Roads and Infrastructure Services with responsibility for Harbours and Flooding, said: "I am hugely proud of the efforts of everyone concerned in the design, preparation and construction of this massive project. It has been a significant undertaking - one of the larger infrastructure projects Aberdeenshire Council has delivered - and now that it's completed, this flood protection scheme will give the Stonehaven community peace of mind for decades to come."

Cllr Wendy Agnew, Chair of the Council's Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee, added: "Stonehaven has historically suffered from flooding which has affected so many local residences and businesses within the lower reach of the River Carron, causing properties to be evacuated which has been traumatic for all those involved. As a flood warden myself, I fully appreciate the impact that these flood events have had on our community, and I am therefore delighted that this flood protection scheme has now been completed."

The local community is invited to the opening of the White Bridge to mark the completion of the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme on Saturday 9 September from 11am. Among the activities planned are the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Provost of Aberdeenshire Cllr Judy Whyte, followed by a brief guided tour of the works themselves and a duck race organised by Stonehaven Sea Cadets.