90% want flood scheme: Newcastleton residents have their say on wall and other options

NINE out of 10 Newcastleton residents, who responded to a survey, believe the community must have a flood protection scheme.
An interim report by Scottish Borders Council on a public consultation showed 89 per cent thought this should be the highest level of protection possible, namely, 1 in 200 year flood.
On the question of an option to landscape the Lakes and reroute the Sikes to create and amenity area, 96 per cent of the respondents were in favour.
One third of the 113 people, who responded, said they would be interested in joining a community working group.
A small number of respondents, from four to 13 were opposed to these proposals.
They commented on why they were against a scheme and the council’s flood protection team replied in full.
Gravel removal had not been ruled out; options for appropriate measures would remain as the hydraulic model was updated.
Dredging alone would not solve the flooding issues. Investigations had shown that dredging reduced flood levels between 50mm and 100mm. The river naturally refilled the bed and the benefit was quickly lost.
A study was done into natural flood management and found the potential for natural flood management was high.
This included restoring felled forestry habitat, upland drain blocking, gully woodland planting and floodplain storage.
Main option
Implementing natural flood management was the main option to reduce the impacts of increased flows from climate change.
This included measures at the Lakes by remeandering the Charlie Sike and using the floodplain better for storage.
One complaint was that a flood wall would ruin people’s views and prevent camping on the riverside.
The response was that the wall option would be subject to further economic appraisal and the team would continue to work with the community to find the best flood protection.
If camping had to be retained, they would ensure this.
Another resident said the drainage should be sorted first. The reply said that partial work had been done several years ago and this helped but the rest of the scheme was abandoned.
If the council proceeded with the flood scheme, the drainage discharging into the river would be picked up as part of the scheme and altered as appropriate to remove the issue of water backing up by using flap valves and introducing pumping stations.
They would carry out full groundwork investigation works and, by law, could not implement anything which would increase flood risk elsewhere.
At this month’s community council meeting Barbara Elborn, secretary, said they needed the names of the people who wanted to join the working group and she asked they contact the council or put their name into the red box in Buccleuch House.
She said: “The flood team are preparing a report for Scottish Borders Council. If the executive doesn’t back this, it won’t happen.
“We’ve demonstrated that we want it to be investigated but it will probably be 10 to 15 years before we get a scheme.
“Community support has to be there. If we don’t show it now, we won’t get it.”
Laura Paterson, vice-chairwoman, said: “The plan will be fully consulted on with the village.”