Request for probe into cost of Hawick Flood Protection Scheme amid concerns over escalating costs
Definitive costs of the scheme have not been disclosed...
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
A deep dive into the escalating costs of the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme has been requested by the leader of cash-strapped Scottish Borders Council.
Councillor Euan Jardine has formally requested that Audit Scotland carry out a full review of the scheme, one of the largest and most ambitious flood defence projects in Scotland.
Mr Jardine has praised the impact the project has had in protecting hundreds of properties in the town from flooding for generations to come.
But with the council facing ongoing financial pressures he believes lessons must be learned – both nationally and locally – over funding issues and in also providing full public transparency.
His request comes amid growing concern in Scotland about the escalating costs of flood defence projects, with many schemes experiencing significant overruns and delays.
The Hawick scheme, approved by full council in 2020 and delivered through extraordinary challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the wider economic pressures of the Ukraine war, has transformed the town.
Definitive costs of the scheme have not been disclosed but back in 2017 the figure cited was in the region of £44m, rising to £88m by 2020.
The Scottish Government contributed an estimated £63m towards it, with SBC’s contribution in the region of £15m, with other bodies such as Sustrans and Scottish Water also supporting it financially.
Audit Scotland is Scotland’s public sector auditor, an independent body that scrutinizes how public money is spent to ensure it’s used effectively, efficiently, and with proper governance.
Mr Jardine accepts the Hawick scheme has significantly improved flood resilience, supported active travel infrastructure, and brought lasting benefits to the community.
He said: “Hawick now stands as one of the best-protected towns in the country when it comes to flood risk.
“This was a landmark investment for the Borders, and it has brought major environmental and infrastructure gains to the town.”
However, following “a recent financial settlement” relating to the project, Mr Jardine has written to the council’s chief executive David Robertson requesting the matter be referred to Audit Scotland for full external review not just as a local issue, but to support wider learning across Scotland.
He said: “This is not unique to the Borders. Flood schemes across the country have faced pressures from inflation and material costs to project scope and delivery risks.
“I believe we must take the lead in ensuring these complex public projects are reviewed thoroughly not only internally, but by national audit bodies.
“That includes looking at how councils, contractors, and government partners including the Scottish Government can strengthen oversight and improve funding arrangements for major infrastructure schemes.
“While I was a councillor at the time, the contract was agreed and signed under a previous administration. I am now leading the response to ensure the public has full transparency and that lessons are learned going forward.”
He added: “Of course, the scheme was delivered in incredibly challenging times including COVID lockdowns, supply chain issues, and global price rises.
“But we still have a duty to ensure every penny of public money is well spent, and that clear governance is in place on projects of this scale.”
MrJardine has also raised questions around whether contract structures used across Scotland remain fit for purpose.
He added: “We also have to ask whether the standard contractual frameworks used across Scotland for major infrastructure are still serving the public well.
“If these contracts are widely used and leading to disputes elsewhere, then now is the time to examine them not just at a local level, but nationally. Audit Scotland is best placed to help us test that.”
The Audit Scotland review, if accepted, would look at procurement, risk escalation, legal dispute handling, and lessons for major capital projects in future.
“This is about doing the right thing not just for Hawick, but for every community in Scotland that depends on infrastructure like this,” Mr Jardine added.
Hawick & Denholm’s Councillor Stuart Marshall, chair of Hawick Flood Group, has backed the council leader’s move.
He said: “I fully support the approach taken by the leader and I couldn’t agree more with his stance.
“The flood protection scheme has without doubt been a massive and very necessary project for Hawick .
“Given the many challenges that it faced during its construction, challenges that at times were I’m sure being exacerbated because of global events etc and which have inevitably added to the huge cost of the scheme.
“That said, I’m pleased that a lessons learned approach is now being taken. The public has every right to openness and transparency and I’m confident that by taking this approach this will be achieved.
“I for one am extremely proud of the Hawick flood scheme and I know first hand the huge benefits it will now bring to my community both locally and economically.”
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/