Sand problem not coming from Scrabster harbour work says community councillor
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A THURSO community councillor has claimed there is no connection between the build-up of sand at the town's Esplanade and work being carried out at Scrabster harbour.
Alexander Glasgow said there has been "no noticeable difference" in the shoreline in the past 50 years, judging by aerial photographs taken at the time.
He said there had been a build-up of sand in that area of Thurso in the past and suggested the problem was a cyclical one.
Mr Glasgow made his comments at Tuesday night's meeting of the community council after local Highland councillor Matthew Reiss said work was being carried out to remove sand from the Esplanade area and from the sea wall. He stressed that Highland Council has a statutory responsibility to keep roads and drains clear.
Community councillor Colin Johnston asked where the sand will go once it has been removed. Councillor Reiss suggested it could be used to help protect the bottom of the cliffs at East Gills.
Mr Johnston wondered if the Scottish Environment Protection Agency would be involved in checking the sand for any contamination but Councillor Reiss said it would not be. However, he pointed out the sand will be surveyed before being removed and again afterwards.
His Thurso and Northwest Caithness colleague, Councillor Donnie Mackay, was pleased to see the problem being addressed. He said the sand was "ruining some gardens".
Community councillor Rae Smith said a machine like a large hoover was sucking the sand from gardens last weekend.
A huge sandstorm blew from Thurso beach into the town's neighbouring streets in January. Gardens, pavements, drains and cars were affected, while some pedestrians claimed to be "temporarily blinded" by the storm.
A woman who lived in the affected area said at the time she had "never ever seen sand come off the beach in the 50-odd years" she had lived there.
"People round here think it might be something to do with the new pier getting built at Scrabster. They’re saying that it’s changed the currents and the tide isn’t coming in like it used to but at an angle," she said.
While not blaming developments at Scrabster harbour for the problem, the woman felt there had been "a definite change" in tidal patterns leading to the huge build-up of sand breaching the top of the Esplanade wall.
It was pointed out that a senior Highland Council official was to look into the possible impacts from the proposed St Ola Pier works at Scrabster and the previous work there.
A £17.6 million project at the Jubilee Quay was completed in June 2013 and a redevelopment of the St Ola Pier to create a modern deep-water harbour is planned.
