New warning of landslides as residents return home

ABERDEENSHIRE Council yesterday issued a renewed warning about the threat of landslides at the Bervie Braes in Stonehaven – a week after more than 100 residents fled their homes.

A spokesman for the local authority said the lack of rain in recent days had led some residents in the harbour area to return to their homes.

But he warned that ground-water levels on the cliffs towering over the harbour remained "unusually high" and said residents and visitors should stay away from the area.

Aberdeenshire Council has erected barriers and put up signs advising people to stay off the slopes. But the council said many walkers had ignored the advice at the weekend and used the footpaths that run across the braes.

Councillors have also been told at a briefing that water levels on the unstable braes could remain dangerously high for "many weeks".

Willie Munro, the council's area manager, said: Water levels are higher than last week and there are no signs of this lowering. There is also the potential for movement as the frozen ground thaws."