Emergency flood funding pursued

The council has estimated the repair bill to be in the region at £1m

A funding bid has been submitted to help meet the costs of flooding which cut off homes in a Borders valley.

Scottish Borders Council has estimated the repair bill in and around the Bowmont and Kale valleys will be £1m.

It has now made a claim to the Scottish Government under the Bellwin scheme which provides emergency funding.

A footbridge was installed last week to replace a bridge washed away at Clifton by the floods but road access remains a number of weeks away.

It is expected to take about six weeks to put in a crossing which will be able to withstand winter weather.

Steps are being taken to allow farms in the area access to a temporary road to allow them to transport livestock and to bring machinery to their land.

The council has also been in touch with residents in Clifton to ensure their medical and care needs are met.