Page 10 - WM Donald Newsletter - Edition Six

One way to reinstate access to Catterline
DAVIE MUIR JOINS W M DONALD TO GET THE WATER FLOWING
Catterline is a small picturesque fishing village located in the Mearns south of Stonehaven. A landslip had compromised access to the village by significantly narrowing the width of the access road negotiable by vehicles.
Appointed by Aberdeenshire Council in March to reinstate the landslip, W M Donald first excavated out the existing slope and then re-engineered it to a stable gradient. The project required importing 3,000m3 of fill materials, an operation that entailed over 300 lorry movements along the single carriageway roads leading into the village. To minimise congestion, W M Donald put forward a plan to establish a one-way circuit for delivery vehicles. The plan was accepted by the local authority and community leaders. To further reduce disruption, the works were scheduled to coincide with a long weekend when the primary school was closed.
This project highlights the importance of planning and logistics in delivering a project outcome that works both from an engineering and a community perspective.
Did you know? The renowned artist Joan Eardley lived in Catterline from the late 1950’s until her death in 1963. Many of her wild seascapes were painted there.
View from the crest of the slope
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Photo shows the proximity of domestic properties along the crest of the failed slope
As Willie mentioned in his welcome, W M Donald has recently achieved its WIRS (Water Industry Regulation Scheme) accreditation to undertake what are known as contestable works. Contestable works refer to those aspects of a potable water project which private contractors can undertake as long as they have the necessary accreditations. These include mains laying and service connections.
Davie Muir has joined as Utilities Manager initially to build up W M Donald’s water operations. The scope of Davie’s role will grow as and when gas (GIRS) and electricity (NERS) accreditations are achieved.
Davie has worked in civils and utilities engineering all his life, starting as an apprentice with now defunct Dundee- based contractor, Torith Ltd. His career has included periods with organisations such as D A Kennedy, Stewart Milne and Energy Assets. Immediately prior to joining W M Donald, Davie worked for Hydrosave:
‘I think we are already well placed to start winning contestable utility works. I’ve brought a couple of experienced guys with me into the company, but the existing workforce already possesses many of the necessary skills and much of the specialist plant needed is already in the W M Donald fleet.’
Born and still based in Dundee, Davie’s spare time is largely taken up ferrying his three young children – Leo, Riley and Ella – to and from football and Irish dancing.