Sandbags

Sandbags should only be seen as a last resort in protecting properties from flooding and we would advise that there are far better ways of protecting properties. View flood protection products.

Here is what you need to know before requesting sandbags:

  • Sandbags are for emergency use only and they are offered to deal with real emergencies rather than perceived ones
  • Sandbags are for the protection of houses and business premises rather than sheds, garages or outbuildings
  • There is a limit of 20 sandbags per individual
  • There is no charge for sandbags provided for emergency purposes
  • On completion of use, please keep hessian sandbags indoors and polypropylene sandbags out of sunlight to maximise their life for future use
  • Only in circumstances where there is a lack of storage space or where they are causing a 'litter' nuisance, sandbags will be uplifted by the council
  • It is the prime responsibility of the property owner to protect their premises
  • If flooding is a regular threat at a particular location, please consider getting sandbags from a builders’ merchant or trade supplier

The council has no statutory duty to prevent properties from flooding, however we will try to help residents and communities as much as we can. When there is widespread flooding, operational staff are likely to be very busy and anyone wanting sandbags should be directed to one of our main Roads Depots holding stocks to collect sandbags for themselves.

We have also arranged with various community councils to provide emergency sandbag storage containers in various locations, as part of their own resilience planning. Please contact community councils in your own area for further information.

List of Main Roads Depots where sandbags can be collected from:

Alford
Roads Depot, Alford AB33 8NW

Banchory
Roads Depot, North Deeside Road, Banchory, AB31 5YR

Ellon
Roads Depot, Hospital Road, Ellon, AB41 9AW

Fraserburgh
West Shore Industrial Estate, Anderson Place, Fraserburgh, AB43 9LG

Inverurie
Unit 15, Harlaw Way, Harlaw Industrial Estate, Inverurie, AB51 4SG

Macduff
Roads Depot, Old Gamrie Road, Macduff, AB44 1AB

Stonehaven
Spurryhillock Depot, Spurryhillock Industrial Estate, Kirkton Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2NQ

Strichen
Council Depot, Strichen, Fraserburgh, AB43 6RB

Turriff
Markethill Depot, Markethill Road, Turriff, AB53 4AG