The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Homes could have no power until tomorrow
Aberdeenshire and Moray residents have been warned to prepare for it to be tomorrow at the earliest before their power is restored – a week after Storm Arwen swept the region.
More than 7,000 homes in the north-east are beginning a sixth day without electricity after strong winds wrought havoc on the network.
At the start of the week, Scottish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN) estimated all homes would have the lights back on by Wednesday.
However, now the power firm has warned it is likely be tomorrow before all electricity is restored while Aberdeenshire Council has suggested disruption could last into the weekend.
Energy Secretary Michael Matheson has committed to undertaking a review of the response to the storm to ensure “lessons can be learned”, amid accusations from the Sottish Conservatives a “monumental failure of planning” by the Scottish Government was to blame for the current situation.
Scottish Conservatives North-East MSP Liam Kerr said: “Why weren’t lessons learned from Storm Frank? We knew this weather had been forecast days in advance.”
As efforts continue to restore power supplies and water to homes, many schools remain closed, having been hit by an array of issues including damaged roofs and struggling boilers.
Businesses are counting the cost of the damage wrought by the 90mph winds that swept the northeast throughout Friday night and into Saturday.
On Aberdeen’s Hazlehead golf course, it has become clear more than 150 trees were uprooted and felled by the storm.
Two of the 18-hole courses have been closed amid an “unbelievable” scene of damage and devastation, with course bosses concerned for the safety of anyone venturing out on to fairways and greens.
And even then, the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
David Selkirk, director of community leisure operations said: “Storm Arwen has brought down a number of trees surrounding the golf courses, with the MacKenzie Championship Course being particularly badly affected.
“As a result, both the MacKenzie Championship and Hazlehead Pines courses will be closed for a period of time while the work required is assessed and undertaken.”
The Hazlehead nine-hole course has reopened and Balnagask and Kings Links Golf Courses are open.
Yesterday there were 5,700 homes in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire without power with a further 1,500 in Moray.
Castle Fraser resident Kenny Anderson, still without power, praised efforts from “heroes” working in all conditions to restore connection – but believes more maintenance on the network is necessary alongside clearer information from SSEN during the disruption.
“At the moment it feels like it will always be tomorrow. It’s pretty grim,” he said.
“We have a gas cooker so we’re able to have hot food but we find we have to wear head torches when we cook. We also have open fires so we’re not as bad as some people – but a hot shower would be nice.
“It looks like the network here has grown organically since the 40s and 50s with different houses fed by different lines, I think that’s part of the problem.”
Graham Keddie, SSEN’s director of corporate affairs, told BBC Radio
Scotland teams were uncovering more faults as they attempted to repair damage.
He said: “For single homes or groups of homes we are looking into Friday for restoration now.”
As that work continues, Deputy First Minister John Swinney visited the northeast where he apologised to storm-hit residents.
He was at Monymusk village hall to speak with worried locals about efforts to restore the area to “normality”.
Mr Swinney apologised for the “degree of suffering and hardship” they have experienced in the aftermath of the storm.
He said: “The level of damage that has been inflicted on the power network is colossal.
“I understand entirely the frustrations and the concerns and the hardship people have experienced and I’m sorry for that.
“I want to make sure we do everything we can in the short term to resolve those issues that is the absolute priority.”
Mr Swinney said that through speaking to the residents in the square he realised many are “dissatisfied” with the communication from power companies, which is something he is keen to look into.
Les Forbes, chairman of the Community Offroad Transport Action Group, was also at the square.
He said: “Fresh water seems to be getting organised but it’s more the likes of sanitary water for people who need to flush toilets and the like that is an issue and we’re trying to get that organised for various communities.”
Mr Forbes said a lack of communication had been an issue and while teams are knocking on doors, he fears many families and individuals were still unaware of the food vans and other emergency welfare facilities available.