Brechin beyond the flood

Residents and businesses are invited to join us at community information sessions.

Specialist officers will be available to explain and respond to questions about two technical reports which were discussed at Angus Council on Thursday 7 November.

Places can be booked from Monday 11 November but are limited, so please only book if you can attend.

Thursday 21 November

10am to 12 midday - The Crickety, Guthrie Park, Brechin. DD9 7EB.

Book a place at the session at the Crickety

2pm to 4pm - JARS Community Hub, Victoria Park, Nursery Lane, Brechin. DD9 7ET.

Book a place at JARS

Saturday 23 November

9.30am to 12.30pm - The Crickety, Guthrie Park, Brechin. DD9 7EB.

Book a place at this session

Two independent specialist reports have been published that will help us identify the best options for the future of housing and flood protection in Brechin.

Housing options appraisal – council stock

An options appraisal involves measuring several potential solutions against a set of agreed criteria. The aim is to find the solution that best meets everyone’s needs.

The option appraisal of the affected council housing stock in the Brechin River Street Area (BRSA) was carried out by housing consultants Arneil Johnston.

BRSA covers Meikle Mill, Nursery Lane, Nursery Park, and River Street.

The study measured several potential solutions and explored impacts on residents, landlords and the community.

Read the housing options appraisal report:

Option Appraisal for Brechin River Street Area (BRSA) Council Housing Stock

Appendix 1A: Brechin Flood Map properties

Appendix 1B - BRSA Council Properties Flood Extent

Appendix 2 BRSA Housing Needs and Asset Performance Analysis

Appendix 3 BRSA Pre Flood NPV Outcomes

Appendix 4 BRSA Demand Analysis Outcomes

Appendix 5 BRSA Reinstatement NPV Outcomes

Appendix 6 Resident Consultation Report

Appendix 7 Potential Demolition Units Map

Appendix 8 Remodelling 77 Units Map

Appendix 9 BRSA Remodelling and Relocation NPV Outcomes

Appendix 10 BRSA Option Appraisal Matrix

Flood protection options appraisal

A Flood Protection Options Appraisal was commissioned in February 2024.

It was carried out by JBA Consulting, a leading environmental and engineering consultancy.

Its aims were to:

• assess the condition of the Flood Protection Scheme (FPS)
• use hydrological modelling to estimate the flow rate of the River South Esk through Brechin during Storm Babet
• determine the current level of protection provided by the FPS
• identify and provide a cost benefit analysis on a range of engineering-focused options to enhance flood protection

Read the flood protection options appraisal report

Information sessions

We are holding information sessions to provide an overview of both reports at different times and venues. Details will be announced shortly.

These will give you the opportunity to put your questions about both options appraisals to staff with the appropriate technical knowledge.

We’ll use your comments and questions to help us identify any gaps in information and further work we need to do.

Infrastructure

Vegetation management of the gravel bar on the north side of the River South Esk was completed recently. This involved weeding out the plant-life to ensure the gravel bar is free to move during high river flow events. The River South Esk is a highly mobile river containing high amounts of gravel that will naturally move downstream during high flow.

The final part of the Brechin Bridge repairs has been completed.

The repairs to the centre pier involved the replacement of stone sections that were individually cut to fit into the structure.

The stone was specifically chosen to blend with the existing stonework over time. As the bridge is a listed structure, we ensured the new stone was of a similar colour, texture and density to the existing stone.

Housing

Housing will continue to carry out walkabouts in the area, checking for vandalism or fly tipping. If you see anything, call your local housing officer Sharon Bell on 07824350883.

Thanks to everyone for your cooperation with the collection of the dehumidifiers. If anyone still has a dehumidifier in their property, please call Sharon Bell on 07824350883 to arrange collection.

Angus Council's housing team is currently calling tenants to check-in and see what support and advice is needed.

SCDC Support for Brechin

Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) are the lead body for community development in Scotland. They have a vision of an active, inclusive and just Scotland where our communities are strong, equitable and sustainable.

They work directly with:

• community groups and organisations
• community development practitioners
• government and other policy makers
• local partnerships and agencies across Scotland who want to involve communities in their work

In Brechin, SCDC are working with Angus Council and will establish a small steering group to help shape and guide that work.

The steering group will be made up of local authority housing residents, housing associations tenants, people who rent from private landlords and homeowners, as well as representatives from local businesses within the Brechin River Street Area.

The group is an essential part of the recovery work in the area and will play a crucial role in directing SCDC’s work, ensuring that all local voices are heard and involved in decision making. It will represent local experience and knowledge in the plans for the future of the area, looking at resilience and area-based plans.

Residents and local business will be contacted shortly with a view to an initial meeting being arranged to set out the scope and role for the group and next steps.

Watch this space, but please email communityresilience@angus.gov.uk if you have any questions.

Health and wellbeing

We recognise that many residents and former residents of Brechin and the surrounding area are still traumatised by the events of Storm Babet. By way of support, the Brechin Community Drop-In continues to run every Thursday from 9:30am to 12 noon at The Crickety.

Please feel free to 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

Community Resilience Drop-in

There will be drop-ins on Thursday 24 October and Thursday 7 November from 9:30am to 12 noon at The Crickety in Brechin, DD9 7EB. These will focus on community resilience.

Scottish Flood Forum will be there on 24 October with advice and support on insurance and property flood protection.

SSEN will be attending on the 7 November to give information on their Get Ready for Winter Campaign.

Come along and have a cuppy and chat.

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.

Link workers and telephone befriending

Visit the Voluntary Action Angus website to find out more about:

• Community link workers
• Telephone befriending service

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.

As you can see from the photos below, it is not a minor repair to fix the Bridge of Dun after it was damaged during Storm Babet. The collapse was due to foundation failure; therefore, this needs significant attention as part of the rebuild. As a Grade A listed bridge, we are preserving the original stonework, meaning the bridge will look the same when rebuilt.

Current progress

• All of 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.

Angus has experienced a recent extended period of dry weather, so the water table is low, and the weather warning is at the yellow stage, which is for medium impact. The Brechin Flood Scheme will provide the same protection as it has done in previous years, being effective in all prior yellow rain warnings since its completion.

SEPA has confirmed that the risk of surface and river flooding is low. There may be some localised flooding and drivers in particular should take extra care.

There is advice on how to protect individual properties on the Scottish Flood Protection website.

The council, along with local resilience partners, stands ready to take any action necessary to support and protect our citizens.

Sources of support can be found on the Angus Council website.

Or email communityresilience@angus.gov.uk

Overview

While activity may not be as visible as in months past, please be assured that a lot of work continues in the background to support a sustainable future for Brechin and its environs.

We are currently waiting for the final analysis of the flood prevention engineering report, and this will provide us with the options available to us and the associated costs. An Options Appraisal is also under way for the Council’s housing stock, once these reports are complete, which we hope will be around the end of the summer, we will then hold a programme of information events to share the findings and together with the community develop the engagement activity for the future options within the wider ambition for Brechin. Some of this will be dependent on the outcomes of the housing options work.

This work will be supported by the place framework which has recently been approved at Angus Council committee, with Brechin, along with Montrose, selected as the first towns to benefit from this approach. You can read the report here: A Framework Approach to Place Based Working

The next steps will include a community-based workshop, and other ongoing engagement as part of the place-based approach. We aim to hold the first one at the end of summer/early autumn, which will start to explore the options coming forward. This will be facilitated by Angus Council and Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) who will be supporting all engagement for the next year. SCDC are the lead body for community development in Scotland. They have a vision of an active, inclusive and just Scotland where our communities are strong, equitable and sustainable.

Health and Wellbeing

We recognise that many residents and former residents of Brechin and its environs are still traumatised by the events of Storm Babet. 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

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

Housing

We understand that many of you will still have questions about housing and as previously stated, we are actively looking at options for the area. This is a very complex process, involving detailed analysis of flood patterns, the likely impact of climate change increasing in the future and housing supply and demand across Angus and of course, the relative costs. All the options need to be thoroughly explored so this does take some time.

The community engagement phase of this options appraisal work has now been completed. There were over 130 responses to the survey, which included further thoughts and aspirations of local residents which were gathered during face-to-face appointments in early June.

All of the results are currently being analysed by the consultants, Arneil Johnston and we will confirm when this has been completed. The information from this report will form part of the engagement sessions with the community.

Remember, if you have any queries about housing, please email Sharon on BrechinMontroseCHT@angus.gov.uk, or call 07824 350883.

Waste Management

We continue to work on the stripping out of the ground floor properties and are continuing a general clean-up of the area. Remember that you can book any special uplifts if required from our website: Special Uplifts.

Infrastructure

Roads

As many of you will have witnessed, we continue our extensive programme of road repairs which has significantly improved the state of the roads. We would like to thank residents for their continued patience around diversions and temporary traffic lights required to allow for repairs to be completed.

Bridge of Dun

Work to the Grade A listed Bridge of Dun has progressed as we now have completed the ground investigations which inform the structural repairs required. We have carefully removed the damaged sections of the bridge and working with partner agencies, we have now completed the detailed designs required to restore the bridge. These have been submitted for a Listed Building Consent Application which is required before work can commence.

We fully recognise the historic importance of the Bridge of Dun and have always sought to re-construct the damaged bridge to replicate the original structure, using as much of the original stone as possible.

We are pleased to report that we have managed to preserve the stone face of the bridge so that once repairs completed, the bridge will look as it has always done. However, the internal structure of the bridge, which was completed in 1787, will be significantly strengthened.

Flood defences

Angus Council has commissioned JBA Consulting to undertake a study of the flood defences following the impacts of Storm Babet. The study aims to cover the following key areas:

• Evaluating the current state of our flood defences.
• Modelling of the flow of the River South Esk through Brechin during Storm Babet.
• Determining the current level of protection provided by the defences, including the likelihood of them being overtopped in the future.
• Identifying and assessing measures to reduce flood risk and enhance resilience against flooding from the South Esk.

An inspection has confirmed that the Flood Protection Scheme (FPS) infrastructure is in good condition, and we are confident that it provides the same protection as it did pre-Storm Babet. However, due to the growing impact of climate change and the increased frequency of extreme weather events, particularly in 2022 and 2023, this may not be sufficient to guarantee the same degree of flood protection.

We expect the JBA study to be completed within the next two months and it will provide valuable data which will help guide our future actions and decision-making.

It is important to recognise that any major infrastructure projects to significantly upgrade the Flood Prevention Scheme, even if feasible and affordable, would require considerable time for design, planning, procurement, and construction. Therefore, our preparations for this winter will focus on maintaining the current defences in their good condition and reviewing our resilience plans.

This includes the clearance of vegetation and trees along the River South Esk in Brechin which will be completed after the bird nesting season. While it may not have a substantial impact on flood protection, it is considered a good management practice in light of the information we have received so far from the ongoing study.

Angus Community Connector

The Angus Community Connector app helps you find all third sector organisations, services, community groups and social enterprises, in your area of Angus. This app, managed by Voluntary Action Angus, is a great resource for those looking for what is available in their area. We also have links to Angus wide services and national services and a form for adding new services.

To use the online version or find links for the mobile app, visit: https://anguscommunityconnector.org.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 X.com and Facebook.
• 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

New housing officer

Sharon Bell is the new housing officer for Meikle Mill, River Street, Nursery Lane, and Nursery Park.

If you have questions or concerns about your tenancy or the ongoing works in the area, Sharon will be happy to help you.

Email Sharon on BrechinMontroseCHT@angus.gov.uk, or call 07824 350883.

Cleaning and stripping out properties

The work stripping out the ground floor properties is almost complete.

Your housing officer, Sharon, will be carrying out a walkabout during the week beginning Monday 27 May and will organise for the paths and communal closes to be given a clean. This work will hopefully be completed by Friday 14 June.

If you have any queries, please contact Sharon as your opinion is welcomed.

Housing Survey

Arneil Johnston are currently analysing the responses to the survey.

As part of the ongoing engagement, they are holding follow-up face-to-face discussions with survey respondents to find out more about the impact of the flooding and their thoughts for the future of housing.

These are being held at the Crickety on Thursday 30 May and Thursday 6 June, and are by appointment only.

If you completed the survey and said you would be interested in providing more information, you will be contacted to arrange a face-to-face discussion or a follow-up phone call. These will also take place in early June.

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 Community staff: Communityresilience@angus.gov.uk.

Urgent requests: Angus Council’s Emergency Centre.

Local updates will be posted on X.com and Facebook.

Wider information can be found on our Storm Recovery Website.

Financial support and advice pages on the Angus Council website.

Our picture gallery has images of the recent sweep of hard standing areas around the flood affected streets.

These sweeps and additional road sweeping and gulley emptying are helping to disperse the silt that has accumulated.

Sharon Bell is the new housing officer for Meikle Mill, River Street, Nursery Lane, and Nursery Park.

If you have questions or concerns about your tenancy or the ongoing works in the area, Sharon will be happy to help you.

Email Sharon on BrechinMontroseCHT@angus.gov.uk, or call 07824 350883.