COMMUNITY councillors have been told that a pioneering new water system recently prevented the village of Lindean from flooding.

The Scottish Borders endured some of the heaviest rainfall on record at the start of the month.

Many towns and villages suffered after rivers across the region burst their banks.

Although both the Ettrick and Yarrow waters recorded some of their highest levels in decades, a recently installed Intelligent Water Management System at St Mary's Loch delayed the peak flow long enough to prevent a major incident at Lindean.

Selkirkshire councillor Gordon Edgar told last week's meeting of Selkirk Community Council that the recent flooding at Lindean was around 10 inches lower than in previous years.

He said: "The Intelligent Management System worked like it should and slowed down the flow of the Yarrow, which in turn kept the peak flow of the Ettrick down.

"Measurements show that the flood was 10 inches lower at Lindean than the last time there was a flood."

The new Intelligent Water Management System, which is part of the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme, has been operational since the end of September.

Concerns have been raised that the new flood walls and embankments along the Ettrick in Selkirk could lead to heavier flows and worse flooding downstream at Lindean.

Community council chair Alistair Pattullo said: "I have been approached by several people who are concerned that Lindean will suffer.

"With the water forced between two walls in Selkirk you would think that there would be a bigger threat at Lindean."

But flood defence bosses have given assurances that flood risk around the village has been reduced.

Scott Marr, project manager with contractors RJ McLeod, said: "My understanding is that the work at St Mary's Loch has taken away a peak flow surge and helped the situation at Lindean.

"Although there are no walls as far up the river as Lindean the flood threat has been reduced."