Moray Council receives support for weather damage

MORAY Council will receive support from the Scottish Government's Bellwin Scheme after structural damage, including at Delfur Bridge, was caused by extreme weather.

The Bellwin Scheme exists to provide financial help to local authorities who will be faced with financial burden due to providing relief and paying for the cost of damage.

The Scheme works like an insurance policy – Moray Council must pay the first £428,000 of damage but anything thereafter will be covered by the Scottish Government.

Moray Council applied for cash due to the recent extreme weather and the structural damage it has caused – including when the Delfur Bridge was damaged and forced to close last week.

The bridge's closure has left 16 families with only one route to their homes until September 15, via a long diversion, and has separated farmers from their fields.

However, help will be provided for the bridge, and other places in Moray damaged by the weather.

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead was delighted with the funding. He said: "I’m pleased the Scottish Government have responded positively to the Council’s request to activate the Bellwin Scheme – which exists to help local authorities deal with the unforeseen costs of emergency incidents, such as extreme weather, and to ensure they can safeguard life and property.

"The heavy rain has made it a challenging few days with flash flooding causing disruption and damage to local infrastructure. Although the rain is set to continue, the Council is already turning its attention to the clear up, particularly the works that will be needed to repair damage caused by the landslips.

"I want to pay tribute to the emergency services, Moray Council and all the local volunteers who have been working hard over the last couple of days to protect homes and businesses."

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