DESIGN MAIN FEATURES
The design of the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme comprises a variety of different types of flood defence measures as well as landscaping opportunities and other enhancements to the town’s existing infrastructure. These improvements run along both sides of the River Teviot from Volunteer Park in the west all the way to Weensland in the east, and the lower section of the Slitrig Water from the Drumlanrig Bridge to the nearby confluence with the Teviot. The Scheme has been many years in the planning and design stages and has been subject to rigorous assessments to ensure that it fully meets certain stringent design, construction and environmental criteria set by Scottish Borders Council (SBC).
In total, the flood defences to be installed have a length of approximately 6km, making this one of the largest flood protection schemes ever carried out in the UK. It is estimated that, once complete, 970 buildings in the town currently under threat from flooding will be protected.
Resulting from in-depth surveys over recent years, the individual elements of the overall design as it threads its way along the Teviot are tailor-made for each area of the town. They are intended not only to protect Hawick from 1 in 75 year flood events, but also to provide significant environmental and access enhancements for present and subsequent generations to enjoy.
In brief, the main elements of the scheme are as follows:
Flood Defences
A total of 5,600m of flood defence walls will be built. These will vary in height along different sections of the river according to the specific flood risk in each area. The walls will feature a variety of attractive stone or patterned concrete finishes and coping stones designed to complement the area. They will also feature 80 large glass viewing panels at regular intervals allowing people views of the river helped, in places, by raised footpaths.
290m of new flood defence embankments with new public footpath in the Weensland area.
Improved drainage infrastructure, including eight new underground pumping stations, to remove excess water emanating from the town in the event of heavy rains and/or inability of water to drain into the Teviot when river levels are high.
Over 7,500m of public utility services (such as gas, water and telephone connections) diverted to ensure continuity of service at all times.
Landscaping & Enhancements
Supported by SUSTRANS, the national cycling and walking charity, 5,700m of new, specially designed ‘active travel network’ will be created along the length of the Flood Protection Scheme, for the first time allowing pedestrians and cyclists direct access to the town centre away from busy roads. This dedicated, traffic-free route will be up to 4.5m wide in places and will be a major improvement to the town’s infrastructure.
The embankment at Weensland will be professionally landscaped and planted with trees and shrubs to form a small nature park area which local people will be able to visit on their way to and from the town centre using the new, environmentally friendly active travel cycle and footpath network.
Approximately, 34,000sqm of upgraded or new public green areas will be created, for example the Weensland nature park, the Common Haugh and the Little Haugh.
Around 2,500 new trees will be planted along the route of the scheme. This represents 2.5 trees for each tree felled.
Three new footbridges will be installed across the Teviot replacing the current Lawson, Victoria and Mansfield footbridges. The new bridges will be raised above the level of the existing bridges and will feature modern lighting.