Work on a £31.4 million flood alleviation project in the Scottish Borders is now complete.

The Selkirk flood protection scheme was officially opened by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on Monday, 27 February.

The development was built by RJ McLeod and construction got underway in January 2015.

The scheme aims to protect around 600 homes and businesses from major flood events, including properties badly affected by previous flooding in the Riverside, Bannerfield and Philiphaugh areas.

Features include a water management system at St Mary's Loch which can store the equivalent of 620 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water, and which helped protect properties during Storm Desmond in December 2015.

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Overall, 2km of flood defences have been created between the Ettrick Water and the Riverside recreational and industrial areas, while a 90 metre footbridge was installed and is designed to remain open even during major flood events.

Following a successful bid for funding to the Scottish Government in March 2014, ministers agreed to fund 80% of the project's costs.

Ms Cunningham said: "Flooding can have devastating consequences for individuals, businesses and communities and that is why we are working with partners and investing in schemes to protect against flooding.

"The opening of this new scheme is good news for Selkirk and will provide lasting protection for around 600 properties against the sort of flooding that has affected this area.

"We are committed to reducing flood risk across Scotland. We will continue to make available £42million a year to fund important new projects to protect communities most at risk from flooding."

Cllr Gordon Edgar added: "All flood schemes take a long time to plan, design and then build, but I am delighted Selkirk now has a completed scheme which will protect homes and make it easier for businesses in the Riverside area to secure flood insurance."

Image: © Scottish Borders Council.

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