March 2024 update

The Brechin recovery is ongoing and will be for some time. Work is underway in many areas, and this update brings you recent and ongoing information.

The weekly Thursday morning drop-in is still happening at the Crickety. This is for anyone who wants to have a cup of tea, a chat, or seek advice on any issues relating to the storm's impact. For more information email communityresilience@angus.gov.uk.

Housing update

As mentioned in our last update, contractors have been carrying out surveys ahead of work to strip out and dry out the flood-damaged properties. Three compound areas have been set up:

• Compound one in the carpark area behind 61-83 River Street

• Compound two in the carpark at block 1-24 Nursery Park

• Compound three in the carpark area behind 117-121 River Street

Work started on 18 March to strip out and dry out the Angus Council’s flood damaged ground floor properties within:

• Meikle Mill

• Nursery Park

• Nursery Lane

• River Street

Technical inspections to upper floor flats, to assess any damage caused by the ground floor flooded properties, is now complete.

If you have concerns about mould or damp that haven't been addressed email Leanne BrechinMontroseCHT@angus.gov.uk(External link), or call ACCESSLine on 03452 777778.

Future of Brechin Housing Stock

Housing consultant Arneil Johnston has been appointed to help us consider the options for the future housing stock affected by the flooding. We previously mentioned that this work will look at the housing needs in the area and how this will affect decisions about reinstating or replacing our housing stock.

The consultants would like to speak with people who were or are residents of the immediate area impacted by the flood. They will seek to gather lived experiences of the flooding's impact, future options, choices, and aspirations.

We will contact households from the affected area to ask if they would be interested in sharing their experiences with the consultants.

Flood Defence

The rebuilding of the Brechin Bridge wall wing that collapsed during the storm has begun.

Further survey work is being carried out looking at how to improve the flood resilience of River Street and Brechin. This will complement work on future housing and redevelopment options.

Once the report is finalised, Brechin residents will be involved in engagement and consultation before decisions are made.

Many people are asking why there is still a log embedded in the central pier of the Brechin Bridge.

The main issue which required the bridge to be closed was scour damage to the north abutment, which exposed the bridge's foundations and soft material underneath. This has been repaired, which is why we have been able to reopen the bridge safely.

The more visible damage was to the cutwater on the upstream side of the central pier, where the log has been embedded. The cutwater's purpose is to deflect flows and debris safely around the pier and, fortunately, in itself, is not a weight-bearing part of the structure. Therefore, this damage has not prevented the re-opening of the bridge.

The repair work is still outstanding, as we need to form a safe access route across to the pier to carry out the repairs. Repair work will start when lower flow conditions occur.

Clean up of Brechin

We are aware of the concerns around the significant levels of silt that is still present within the grass, roads, paths and drains.

The silt did not fully return to the river bed after the floods, and when dry, it is stuck hard in the grass areas; when it rains, it then turns to mud.

We are doing our best to address this issue. Ongoing cleaning continues, and a site walk-around is scheduled in the upcoming weeks to look for longer-term solutions.