New plan devised for Pennan cliff crack repairs

The crack above Pennan sparked an alert last Tuesday

A way of carrying out landslip prevention work at Pennan has been devised that will allow residents to stay in their homes.

A total of 22 people had been asked if they wanted to leave when work to remove a section of cliff started.

Aberdeenshire Council said it was now planning to mesh the entire area, costing about £100,000.

It is hoped the work could start as early as next week, and be completed before Christmas.

Iain Gabriel, director of transportation and infrastructure, said: "The site presented several challenges in terms of access and manoeuvrability and securing the whole area removes a number of these difficulties.

"I will be recommending to the council that we accept a tender from a specialist contractor for the works on this basis.

"This remains a complex piece of work, however, and the safety of workers and the community will remain our top priority throughout the process."

Patience praised

He added: "A lot has been achieved in a very short space of time and we would like to thank the Pennan community for their patience while the best course of action was determined."

It has also emerged a new 5m crack has appeared on the cliffs, but the council said it was not causing undue concern.

A 25m crack had been discovered last Tuesday. It was said to be unrelated to severe landslides in 2007.

Work had been due to start at the weekend but was delayed pending further assessment.

Pennan - and the Aberdeenshire village's red phone box - became recognised after Bill Forsyth's 1983 film Local Hero, starring Burt Lancaster.