Aberdeenshire Council has revealed that the estimated list of work needed for flood repairs resulting from Storms Desmond and Frank in December so far totals around £7.6 million.

The news accompanies an announcement by the Scottish Government that up to an additional £1 million will be made available to fund the Agricultural Floodbank Repair Scheme due to the level of demand from farmers who applied while the scheme was open in February.

There is now up to £2 million available in the Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme to cover the standard costs of repairs to man-made floodbanks on farms which were affected by flooding in nine local authorities during December and early January.

The additional funding is available to farmers who have already applied for the scheme – no new applications will be accepted at this stage.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead made the announcement during a visit to the Aberdeenshire town of Ballater, which was badly affected by floods caused by both Storms Desmond and Frank. He also revealed that since January more than £1 million of Scottish Government grant funding has been paid out to households and businesses directly affected by the flooding in Aberdeenshire.

Aberdeenshire Council has established a flood recovery group which is identifying works and overseeing the delivery of the programme - the estimated list of work so far totals around £7.6 million.

The Scottish Government announced £16 million of support to flood-hit areas earlier this year, with £2 million being allocated to Aberdeenshire Council. The funding ensures that every household, business or charity directly affected by the flooding receive a grant of £1500. It also includes £5m for infrastructure repair, including support for the re-instatement of the A93 between Ballater and Braemar. In addition, businesses whose ability to trade has been affected can apply for an additional £3000, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by their local authority.

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