Weather damage exposes gas pipe in Banff sea wall

GAS engineers and council workmen have been working throughout the night to prepare for emergency repairs to a sea wall in the Aberdeenshire town of Banff where a gas pipeline was exposed following severe storm damage.

Picture: Contributed

The sea wall in the Scotstown area of Banff was badly damaged in a storm surge last night. But there was no leak of gas from the exposed pipeline.

A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said staff from the local authority, Scotland Gas Networks and officers from Police Scotland have been in attendance in the area overnight but that there had been no need for any of the homes nearby to be evacuated.

He said: “Storms caused significant damage to the sea wall. A gas pipeline was exposed by the damage and the area has been monitored throughout the night. No one was injured as a result of the incident and no evacuations were necessary.

“Engineers are planning remedial works today and a controlled road closure will be put in place to ensure the safety of workers and road users.”

The spokesman added: “It is not anticipated that there will be any disruption to gas supplies whilst the work is carried out.”

Alan Wood, Duty Emergency Planning Co-ordinator for Aberdeenshire Council, said: “We would like to reassure the public that there is no danger to anyone or any property. The situation has been monitored overnight and thankfully the weather and tides have not caused any further damage.

“The agencies will continue to work together today, and over the weekend, to make urgent repairs to the wall and to ensure that the gas pipeline is protected from the elements.”