The first ever local flood risk management plans for the Borders has been published, which shows how flooding will be managed across Tweed, Solway and Forth Estuary over the next six years.

Each includes details on funding and the timetable for delivering actions identified in the plans.

The three plans are part of 14 covering the whole of Scotland. The plans have been produced by local authorities following the launch of the country's first Flood Risk Management Strategies by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in January this year.

As the lead authority for Tweed LFRMP, which covers the majority of the region, we have produced a delivery plan which clearly sets out how flood risk will be managed, co-ordinated, funded and delivered between 2016 and 2022.

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Construction of the Selkirk and Hawick flood protection schemes are both included in the Tweed LFRMP.

Forth Estuary and Solway flood risk management plans

We have also contributed to:

• Forth Estuary Local Flood Risk Management Plan – includes the Berwickshire coast. The City of Edinburgh Council is the lead authority for this plan.

• Solway Local Flood Risk Management Plan – includes the Newcastleton area. Dumfries and Galloway Council is the lead authority for this plan.

All the flood risk management plans are available online. Hard copies will be available to read in contact centres and libraries this week.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, said: "Along with SEPA, we consulted on the draft plans last year, leading to the production of Scotland's first ever local flood risk management plans.

"It was only a few months ago that many Borderers were severely impacted by flooding from Storms Desmond, Frank and Gertrude.

"The publication of these Local Flood Risk Management Plans, following the launch of the Flood Risk Management Strategies, will be vital in helping decisions to be made on how to best protect vulnerable areas."

(MH)