Interactive event for Hawick flood scheme

The high school is the venue for the latest workshop on Wednesday, which will be an interactive session to give members of the public the opportunity to drop in between 6-8.30pm and provide ideas to include alongside the flood scheme.

The workshop in January was held in the wake of devastating flooding which hit Hawick in early December 2015. Attendees reflected on their experiences of the flooding, and how the community was affected.

As a result, a number of community groups were created to discuss what they would like to see included in the flood scheme. These groups will be among others hosting stands on the night, displaying the ideas that have been generated and to gain the views of the wider community. The ideas range from public art to running routes to heritage trails.

The event will continue the collaboration between the flood scheme and the resilient communities project.

A Scottish Borders Council spokesperson said: “Hawick’s flood protection scheme is in its outline design phase and opinions and ideas are being sought from local people so that any concerns over the project can be addressed now, rather than later which could lead to delays to the scheme.”

The £100,000 resilient communities project is one of two in the UK to be funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation climate change and communities programme. It aims to help the local authority work with local community groups to improve community resilience to climate change – with Hawick, Newcastleton and Peebles chosen to take part in the 16-month programme.

SBC’s executive member for planning and environment, Councillor Ron Smith, said: “We had a very good response to the last workshop and I ask the public to come along once again and share their opinions.

“The public’s views are critical for the development of Hawick’s Flood protection scheme.”