The first part of funding for the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme has been confirmed by the Scottish Government.
Councillors at this week’s Executive meeting heard that the Government has provided an initial £1.342 million to the project as a general capital grant in 2016/17.
The Hawick Flood Protection Scheme was included on a list of 40 new flood protection projects by the Government earlier this summer.
The scheme will receive 80 per cent (£29.2 million) of the overall project costs from the Government, which currently stands at £36.4 million.
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure , said: “It is hugely positive news for Hawick that the Scottish Government has provided the first tranche of funding for the town’s Flood Protection Scheme, and included the project on its priority list.
“The next aim is to now get the scheme built and that is why the public exhibition this month remains so important.
“As the scheme is currently in its outline design phase, it is a lot easier for us to address any concerns now than if objections are brought up at a later stage, which could result in delays to the overall project.”
The confirmation of Scottish Government support comes ahead of a public exhibition, set for Tuesday, 23 and Wednesday, 24 August, at Hawick Town Hall.
The exhibition will give members of the public the opportunity to make their views known on the scheme.
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