RESIDENTS businesses and community groups are being encouraged to give their views on how flood risk can be managed across the Scottish Borders as part of a joint consultation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The flood risk management plans are aimed at protecting communities at the greatest risk of flooding in the region. Local proposals include three flood schemes and two flood studies.
From 30 July views can be made on the Tweed, Solway and Forth Estuary Local Flood Risk Management Plans, along with the SEPA draft Flood Risk Management Plan. The consultation is open until 30 October 2021 and responses will help shape the final plans. The various plans and consultation can be accessed through SEPA’s consultation hub.
Local proposals of note include flood schemes for Newcastleton, Whitlaw and Crowbyres, and Peebles. Flood studies for Jedburgh, focused on the Jed Water, and Bonchester Bridge have also been put forward.
Whilst the consultation is mainly online, hard copies of the plans and the consultation questions can be provided on request. Consultation responses can also be submitted in writing to SEPA
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Infrastructure, Travel and Transport said: “This is an important consultation which will help inform the delivery of critical flood schemes and studies across the region.
“Scottish Borders Council has been very successful in developing flood protection scheme proposals and securing funding to take these forward, for example in Hawick, Selkirk, Galashiels and for the Skiprunning Burn in Jedburgh. Smaller scale works across the region have also protected homes and businesses from river and surface water flooding too.
“However, we still have communities which continue to be affected by flooding and we are committed to ensuring we do all we can to protect them as much as possible from future flood events.”
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