Construction of the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme started this week with an official opening ceremony by Scotland’s Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse for the £31.4 million project, which received Scottish Government funding in March.

The new scheme will remove 595 properties in the Bannerfield, Philiphaugh and Riverside areas of the town from the national flood risk register. It will do so by protecting against the effects of flooding from the Ettrick and Yarrow waters and the Long Philip and Shaw burns.

The advanced works contract was awarded in April to SBC Contracts and includes the creation of temporary access roads ,vegetation and tree clearance and public utility diversion works in the coming months.

Speaking as he visited the project after the Scottish Government Cabinet’s meeting in Selkirk, Mr Wheelhouse said:

“I am delighted to be here today to mark the commencement of this £31.4 million co-funded project, 80 per cent of which is funded by the Scottish Government, which will provide much needed flood protection here in Selkirk.

“Communities such as Bannerfield living under the threat of flooding know only too well the devastating effects it can have and that is why flooding remains a priority for this Government. In particular this project, aside from protecting houses, will also protect the very important Ettrick riverside area which is home to many of Selkirk's established and new start businesses.

“By continuing to invest in measures to mitigate the impact of flooding and reduce the risk of it happening in the first place, we are providing invaluable support to some of the most vulnerable communities in Selkirk, and indeed in other similarly affected areas across the country.

The tender for the main construction works contract was issued earlier this month, with the works due to begin on 1 December. The project is expected to be completed by December 2016.

Scottish Borders Councillors approved stages seven (construction procurement) and eight (construction works) at a full SBC meeting on in February this year., The Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme became the first major flood protection scheme with an environmental statement to be approved under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 in August 2012.

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