Following heavy rain and significant flooding in Newcastleton, Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton is calling for swifter action to implement enhanced flood defences.
The Liddel Water burst its banks on Tuesday evening, with a number of properties taking in water around the village.
The Borders MSP is concerned at the pace of ongoing flood risk work in Newcastleton and wants the process to be accelerated for constituents once again forced to leave their homes because of flood damage.
She believes it is vital that the community, land owners, the UK and Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Borders Council, meet to pave the way forward.
She took the opportunity to urge the Scottish Government to provide greater financial support over and above the Flood Risk Management allocation in the new Scottish budget.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“It is a distressing time for people in Newcastleton, especially after the devastating floods last year brought about by Storm Dennis.
“I want to thank the multi-agency response team, and their tremendous efforts to keep the damage to the village to a minimum.
“There was a timely Amber weather warning issued and a multi-agency response was mobilised, however that does not address the long term solution.
“I favour a catchment management approach in order to bring together all stakeholders to deliver a range of environmental, social and economic benefits, but ultimately safeguarding the future viability of Newcastleton and the safety of its residents too.
“I have written to the Newcastleton & District Community Council and SBC to progress this further.
“If we see all stakeholders pull together, in a similar way to Hawick, we can progress plans quicker.
“Action has to be taken now, to tackle what is becoming an annual problem”.