In full flow, £31million bid to beat flooding

A MAJOR £31million flood protection scheme in the Borders has been officially opened.

The completion of the Selkirk project was marked by the burial of a time capsule by Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

Scottish Borders Council leader David Parker and local schoolchildren were present at the launch.

The Scottish Government provided 80 per cent of the funding for the scheme, which will protect around 600 homes and businesses from severe weather. Areas including Riverside, Bannerfield and Philiphaugh were badly hit by flooding in 2003 and 2004.

The project includes a water management system at St Mary’s Loch, which can store water equivalent to 620 Olympic swimming pools.

This was put to use when Storm Desmond hit the area in December 2015.

More than a mile of flood defences have been created as well as a 300ft footbridge designed to remain open even during flooding.