Bill for Hawick’s flood defences now looking set to rise as high as £60m

The bill for Hawick’s long-awaited flood protection scheme, currently on hold due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, is now looking likely to be far bigger than first thought.
Hawick Volunteer Flood Group members Andy Lewis, Marion Chrystie, Stuart Marshall and Mick Robertson showing Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon a stretch of the Teviot set to be kept at bay by forthcoming river defences during her visit to the town in FebruaryHawick Volunteer Flood Group members Andy Lewis, Marion Chrystie, Stuart Marshall and Mick Robertson showing Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon a stretch of the Teviot set to be kept at bay by forthcoming river defences during her visit to the town in February
Hawick Volunteer Flood Group members Andy Lewis, Marion Chrystie, Stuart Marshall and Mick Robertson showing Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon a stretch of the Teviot set to be kept at bay by forthcoming river defences during her visit to the town in February

The cost of the project – to protect the town from floods such as those that hit it in 2005, 2013, 2015, 2016 and February this year – has, until recently, been estimated at £44m, but that figure is now expected to rise by as much as a third.

A revised price-tag for the project was due to be revealed on Wednesday, March 11, along with the identity of the company awarded the main contract for it, but that announcement has been put on hold, along with preliminary works, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

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It is understood to be well in excess of £50m, however, and Scottish Borders Council chief executive Tracey Logan suggested as long ago as February that it could even hit £60m, an increase of more than a third.

Hawick’s river defences were originally expected to be ready by the end of 2022, but it now looks inevitable that that completion date will be pushed back to 2023.

Though that expected hold-up will leave the town at risk of flooding for longer, it can’t be helped and the defences’ eventual arrival will certainly be better late than never, says Hawick and Hermitage councillor Watson McAteer.

“I have no doubt that projects being funded by the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council, including the £50m-plus Hawick flood prevention scheme, will be fully honoured and back on track as soon as the lockdown is relaxed,” he said.

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“I understand the figure is going to rise substantially, but I don’t have an exact figure. It will be well north of £50m, I believe.”

Council boss Ms Logan also expects a hefty rise, telling us, during a visit to Hawick by Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon to Hawick in February: “We are about to get started on our flood protection scheme in Hawick, which is around £60m worth of investment.”

Project director Conor Price said: “The people of Hawick can be absolutely assured that all parties involved in the flood protection scheme remain 100% dedicated to the project and are fully committed to taking it forward as soon as it is appropriate and safe to do so.

“We will be fully prepared to pick up where we left off as soon as we are able and look forward to progressing this major construction project, which is so badly needed in the town.”

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A council spokesperson added: “The total scheme cost is primarily driven by the value of the main works contract, which has been undergoing a complex tendering exercise since early 2019.

“The bids received have been closely scrutinised.

“The absolute priority has always been to ensure the appointment of the contractor best placed to carry out this vitally important scheme to the standards and timescale required by the council and the people of Hawick.”