Fears are being expressed in Lossiemouth over a flood risk at Station Park after contractors removed the temporary protection in place since the storms in September 2012.
The concrete blocks that have been protecting the park were removed on Monday in preparation for permanent repairs being put in place.
However, high seas today saw the park being flooded – and now residents are concerned that further damage could follow over the weekend with further high tides expected.
Local community councillor Carolle Ralph has called on early action from Moray Council to ensure that the potential for damage is kept to a minimum.
Mrs Ralph said: “I fully understand the reason for the delay in putting permanent repairs in place but at high tide today it became clear that the missing blocks were posing a serious and immediate problem for Station Park.
“I have been assured by the Council’s head of roads, Steven Cooper, that the contractors had been contacted and consideration was being given on what immediate action could be taken.”
Lands and park staff from Moray Council were on site early this afternoon to seal off the area.
The £450,000 contract to repair the sea wall was awarded to North Shields-based Southbay Civil Engineering in December who started work this week that would involve the use of reinforced concrete with sandstone cladding that will match the existing wall.
Costs of the repairs are being met with help from the Scottish Government fisheries harbour repair grant scheme.