Council commission engineering report in a bid to avoid repeat of flash floods in Jedburgh
Ally McGilvray • Published 8 Aug 2012 09:30
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SCOTTISH Borders Council leader David Parker has praised his staff for their response to the flash floods in the Borders at the weekend.
Up to 50 local authority workers were drafted in on their day off on Sunday after the local authority issued a plea for help.
The council declared a state of emergency after torrential downpours of rain left many parts of the region devastated.
Jedburgh was the worst affected by the weather after a local burn, the Skiprunning Burn, burst its banks, leaving the town centre under three feet of water.
However, the local authority revealed it has commissioned engineering consultants, Halcrow Group, to investigate the source of the flooding in a bid to plug the problem. They are expected to report back in four weeks.
Councillor Parker said: "The Scottish Borders suffered a large amount of rain over the weekend. The incident in Jedburgh was unique with the Skiprunning burn rising by two metres in the space of just 15 minutes.
"The multi-agency response to this incident was excellent and I would like to personally thank all of the staff from across the council, police and fire service for their efforts."
And he added: "We are now continuing to put in place a variety of measures to assess the damage and ensure residents in Jedburgh have access to the practical support and information they need in order to return to normal."
The mop up operation was continuing in Jedburgh this week. And the extra council staff drafted in to help are expected to remain there for the rest of the week.
And a help desk has been set up at the council's contact centre in Exchange Street to provide advice and information to those affected.
A council spokesperson said: "Teams of council staff have been visiting all businesses in the town to assess the damage and ensure they have the support they need.
"All residential properties affected have also been offered alternative accommodation.
And they added: "Council skip-vans are also circulating the town to assist businesses and local residents to dispose of any damaged items and other rubbish for the rest of this week."
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 08 Aug 12
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