Client: Scottish Borders Council
Value: £23.00M
Engineer: CH2M
Completion: 2016
This major flood protection scheme was made up of 38 no. work sections within 5 key areas of Selkirk and St Mary’s Loch and includes construction of clay flood embankments, RC flood defence walls, sheet piling, rock armour erosion protection, and Contractor designed bentonite seepage cut-off wall. Also included is the removal and replacement of 5 bridges (including a new 3-span 90m footbridge), M&E and sluice works at upstream reservoir, improvements to Selkirk’s footpath network, and resurfacing finishing works.
Key Issues:
• Measures put in place to avoid any impact on the Selkirk Common Riding events in June 2015 and 2016
• Effective communication with local stakeholders as demonstrated by:
– employment of a dedicated Public Liaison Officer and provision of Project Information Centre
– production of a regular dedicated newsletter distributed to local residents/businesses; frequent updates to project website
– open days/community meetings attended by the Project Team to answer questions and offer information
• Developed alternative design with Client/Designer to avoid a 15 week road closure
• Working adjacent to/within environmentally sensitive watercourses which feed the River Tweed
• Careful planning to devise phasing, access arrangements and traffic management to mitigate disruption
• Additional works awarded increased project value by over £4M
Principal Elements included:
Imported Class2C clay fill 50,000m3
RC flood wall 9,000m3
Seepage cut-off wall 18,000m2
Carriageway surfacing 15,000m2
Footway surfacing 7,000m2
Rock armour 12,000 tonnes
