Hawick flood protection scheme costs top £106m

Hawick has suffered repeated flooding incidents down the years

The total cost of the new flood protection scheme for Hawick is being projected to reach £106.5m, according to a report to Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

The figure is contained in papers for the local authority's executive committee as part of the 2025/26 capital financial plan.

It is an increase of more than £14m from the last reported total of £92m.

SBC leader Euan Jardine said that it was unfortunate that the costs had risen, but that the project was one of the most complex in the country.

"When you add in the Covid pandemic, which led to delays, and inflationary costs, which saw prices increase significantly, it is understandable that the scheme didn't stay within budget," he said.

Beginning in July 2020 and taking about five years to complete, Hawick's flood protection scheme is one of the largest in Scotland.

It has been designed to protect about 1,000 homes from a one-in-75-year event and consists of about two miles (3km) of flood defences.

Mr Jardine added: "There will be a full audit, but we should remember that a town which has suffered from flooding so many times is now protected – and there's also new active travel routes throughout the town."