£19M flood-prevention plans on show
Flood Protection Scheme for Selkirk. Conor Price, project manager discusses some of the flood prevention plans with local resident Adair Anderson of Ravenshaugh in the Yarrow valley.
SELKIRK’s Common Riding Trust is to be consulted over how raised flood defences on either side of Ettrick Water will impact on the traditional river crossing to the Linglie.
“There may be an opportunity to make the ride safer and I am happy that Scottish Borders Council, which is taking the flood protection measures forward, is talking to organisers,” said community council chairman Gordon Edgar.
He was commenting after visiting an exhibition of plans for a £19million project which aims to protect Selkirk from the kind of floods which have devastated parts of the town in recent years.
The outline designs of the preferred scheme, approved in principle by SBC in January, went on show at Philiphaugh Community School, in the heart of the flood danger zone, earlier this week.
Mr Edgar added: “I have to say I was very impressed with what is proposed which takes account of the visual impact on the town, of embankments and walls over one metre higher than present levels along both sides of the river downstream of the bridge near the school.
“Obviously the main aim is to save those low-lying parts of the town from the horrors of flooding, but it seems to have been done in a sympathetic way as far as amenity is concerned.”
The work on the Ettrick, estimated at £10million, is the largest part of the overall scheme which creates catchments for the Long Philip Burn and extra defences upstream of the bridge and new culverts on the Shaw Burn. Scottish Water representatives were also at the exhibition, explaining how outlet gates at St Mary’s Loch would be closed during a storm event, keeping a large volume of water out of the Yarrow Valley.
“We are proud of the designs,” said Councillor Jim Fullarton, chairman of SBC’s flood advisory group. “The project team has produced a scheme which combines traditional engineering solutions such as walls and embankments with exciting natural flood management measures.”
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Weather for Selkirk
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
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