Building walls not bridges as town works to fix flood damage

A flood-damaged wall at Inverurie’s Bass Cemetery is to be fixed, 18 months after Storm Frank devastated the structure.

The Bass monument and graveyard on Keithhall Road, between the Rivers Don and Ury, were badly damaged during the deluge. Part of the wall collapsed onto a grass verge at the front of the cemetery, while a section of the left perimeter wall has fallen into a footpath at the side.

Vermin control may also be introduced to tackle the influx of a large rabbit population which is damaging the site.

Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that vital repairs will be carried out to fix the damage, with the work due to be finished by the end of the year.

The repairs were delayed by a pricing issues, but a new contractor is now in place to take on the work.

The news was confirmed to Inverurie Community Council by Brian Strachan, Aberdeenshire Council’s roads and landscape area manager.

Councillor Marion Ewenson, who represents the Inverurie and District ward, said: “It is welcome news that the wall is going to be fixed. It has been a long time, but the council has had bridges and roads to fix first and to make sure residents are safe.

“Brian Strachan said at the community council that work on the wall will hopefully start in September. However, it depends if the council accepts the new contractor’s price.

“The original price by the old contractor was too high and therefore they looked for a new contractor.”

Secretary of Inverurie Community Council Eric Simpson said: “We’re quite happy that the council have listened and reacted to the community’s concerns and we look forward to the work being completed.

“Many people in the community have loved ones in the cemetery and it needs to be dealt with quickly and sensitively.”

“We’re happy that the council have listened to concerns”

Photograph: Kenny Elrick DAMAGE: A wall broken by Storm Frank will be fixed.