Driving in Moray: Birnie left 'stranded'
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Residents in Birnie are having to contend with flooding, a landslide and a bridge that will be closed until at least 2024.
Now some have come forward to express deep concerns about the state of the local road network around their homes.
Several different issues have combined to leave the area in difficulties.
Travelling east from Birnie along Rashcrook Road is currently impossible because it's been under up to 18 inches of water since the heavy floods of December 9.
Going west along the same road is also impossible because Foths Bridge has been sealed off to traffic since November 2019.
While heading north from Birnie along Trochail Road takes you along a heavily pot-holed single track which temporarily closed on December 9 following a landslide.
The upshot is that motorists are approaching Birnie from the south.
From Elgin this involves a seven mile detour via Fogwatt along another single track road.
However even this route can be fraught with difficulty.
Last Thursday, for instance, it was out of action due to a car overturning in the icy conditions.
Katy Holmes, who is in a wheelchair due to spinal problems, has lived in Birnie for the past 28 years.
She states her carers are experiencing major problems in reaching her home.
Katy said: "Something definitely needs to be done - and quickly.
"We might live in a rural location but we still pay council tax.
"We shouldn't just be forgotten about."
Another neighbour echoed these views.
She said: "Rashcrook Road often floods but I've lived here 43 years and it's the first time it's ever been impassable like this.
"It's been out of action for over a month now.
"There are several people with medical conditions living around here.
"What would happen if an ambulance was needed?"
A spokesperson for Moray Council said it aimed to drain the floodwater on Rashcrook Road – but would probably not be in a position to do so before the end of March.
They added that the nearest place to discharge pumped out water was more than a kilometre away.
This would entail pipes crossing land belonging to three different parties, all of whose permission would be needed.
The council would also need to obtain a licence from SEPA as well as inform local businesses about what was planned.
As regards the Foths Bridge on the western part of Rashcrook Road, Moray Council has said it will not have the funds to return it to use until at least the 2024/25 financial year.
The local authority has outlined several options, which cost from £56,000 for minimal repairs to £135,000 for a full replacement.
The council spokesperson said: "Regrettably we are not in a position to bring forward the repairs.
"To do so would unreasonably defer higher priority work.
"For example, repairing bridges on the only public road access to multiple homes and businesses, or those located on a major A or B road critical to the local wider economy, or where there is a diversion of over 20 miles long."
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