August 2024 update

Dehumidifier Update

Our specialist contractors have completed their assessment of the ground floor properties and have advised us that the properties are dry, and the buildings are stabilised. Therefore, the contractor has begun removing the dehumidifiers from the upper floor properties. If you have not yet had your dehumidifier removed the contractor will be in touch with you shortly to arrange for its removal.

There will be a final payment of £28 paid the week of the 12 August to all residents.

Should you have any questions, please contact Sharon Bell on 07824350883 or Bells1@angus.gov.uk

Vandalism

Following concerns from residents about increased levels of vandalism and break-ins at the empty properties within the area, we have arranged for the Community Safety Wardens and the Police to carry out regular patrols in the surrounding area.

If you notice anyone carrying out any acts of vandalism, please contact the Police by calling 101. If you come across any damage, please contact Angus Council by calling customer services on 03452 777 778 so that we can ensure buildings are secured and the area is cleaned up.

Should you have any questions please contact Sharon Bell on 07824350883 or Bells1@angus.gov.uk

Housing Options Appraisal

Housing service staff are meeting with our housing consultants 27 August to receive initial findings from the options appraisal, including the feedback from the community and residents’ engagement. Following that meeting, the consultants will prepare their final report and a consultative draft will be provided to officers in the final week of September. Following internal consultation, the final report will be completed by mid-October with a view to going to committee in November.

Update on Bridge of Dun

It has been confirmed that in addition to the road collapse, there has also been major structural damage to the foundations of the Bridge of Dun during Storm Babet. Therefore, this needs significant attention as part of the rebuild.

As a Grade A listed bridge, we are preserving the original stonework, so that the bridge will look the same as it always has once rebuilt.

Current progress:

• all the unstable parts have been carefully taken down, cleaned and sorted ready to be rebuilt.
• we’ve managed to preserve the south face of the bridge, and this is currently safely propped.

Next steps:

A third-party engineering consultancy is handling the design. This means we can proceed with the Listed Building Consent Application shortly.

Detailed ground investigations have identified poor sub-surface conditions, but we need further ground investigations by specialist contractors to advise on a potential design for ground improvement.

Due to the need for these additional investigations, we are unable to give a clear timeline for when all the work will be complete. However, we will share this information with you as soon as we can.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work on this complex project.

Brechin Bridge

The cutwater repair to Brechin bridge is scheduled to commence during the week of 19 August, and residents should note that there may be disruption on the first and last day of this repair work. This requires a floating platform which will need to be lowered down to the side of the bridge, and similarly it will need to be removed once the work has been completed.

The clearance of two large fallen trees followed by vegetation management on the south bank of the River Esk across from River Street, are programmed to begin during the week of the 26 August.

Drop in

The Brechin Community Drop In continues to run every Thursday from 9:30am to 12 noon at The Crickety.

Pop in for a cup of tea, a chat, or advice on issues relating to the impact of the storm, such as:

• money and benefits
• future flood protection
• insurance
• grants and funding: advice and help with applications
• emails and form-filling
• housing
• mental health and wellbeing
• and anything else you feel you need help with

You can also email us at Communityresilience@angus.gov.uk

Contacts and links

• Local Vibrant Communities staff: Communityresilience@angus.gov.uk.
• Urgent requests: Angus Council’s Emergency Centre.
• Local updates will be posted on Facebook and Engage Angus.
• Wider information can be found on our Storm Recovery Website.
• Financial support and advice pages on the Angus Council website.

If you have any other issues or concerns you would like to raise, please contact us via the emergency centre email EmergencyCentre@angus.gov.uk.

Are You OK?

Developed by the Angus Mental Health & Wellbeing Network, the Are You OK? campaign is running across Angus and provides mental health, wellbeing, suicide prevention and crisis support links. These can be used by individuals themselves, or to support those around them.

For more information visit: Mental health, wellbeing, suicide prevention and crisis support links.