A TEMPORARY path is to be laid to replace the boardwalk- while the Council considers options for a long-term solution to the storm damage.
Members heard an update on the popular seafront walking route at this week’s meeting of Stonehaven and District Community Council.
Jim Stephen, who is also one of the Fireballs organisers, said he met with Landscape Services, who said the temporary path would be in place in good time to be used as an evacuation route for the Hogmanay celebration – and again for the Nippy Dip on New Year’s day.
He said: ”They have a lot on their hands just now, so I think that is the most we can ask for.”
Ripped out by storm after only two years
The boardwalk was constructed in 2021 to replace the original walkway, which after 20 years of use had reached a general state of disrepair.
A joint initiative led by the Stonehaven Town Centre Improvement Group orchestrated the project and was awarded £265,000 from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund, £30,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund, along with a £45,000 grant from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund awarded by NESFLAG for the works along with new seating areas, finger-pointer signage and information and interpretation boards.
Now it appears the local authority is going back to the drawing board. Councillor Alan Turner said officers were getting quotes for various options to fix the boardwalk.
Councillor Sarah Dickinson added: ”They are looking for a long term solution, so we don’t have this problem again.”
To which a member of the public quipped: ”It will have to be concrete!”