Protecting Hawick: A 20-year journey to safer, stronger communities in Scotland
Jacobs led delivery of the Hawick Flood Risk Management Scheme (FRMS), from preliminary flood risk assessment and concept design through construction management and support. Working closely with Scottish Borders Council as the client and principal contractor McLaughlin & Harvey — supported by specialized local subcontractors — the project harnessed local expertise to protect nearly 1,000 homes and businesses while delivering lasting community benefits.
Why Hawick needed a comprehensive solution
Hawick, a market town in southern Scotland, has faced an increasing frequency of flooding, particularly at lower return periods. After a major event flooded more than 500 properties and businesses, Scottish Borders Council commissioned a comprehensive flood protection scheme.
The Hawick FRMS became a 20-year program of work described as “five projects in one.” It combined flood resilience with improvements to Transport Scotland’s trunk road network, Scottish Water’s water distribution and collection network, active travel infrastructure and other essential services. The scheme now protects 935 homes and businesses from a 1-in-75-year flood event.
Designing the solution required safeguarding multiple critical assets, including the A7 trunk road, a water treatment facility and an extensive water service network. The scope expanded significantly to include new bridges, wider footpaths and public realm improvements, with a strong focus on placemaking.
Construction also faced challenges due to restricted working conditions in the River Teviot, which flows through the town center. The river is designated both a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
($129) overall project value to protect Hawick
Properties better protected against a 1 in 75-year flood event in the River Teviot
Staff involved on project from initial stage to construction
From design to delivery: a model of collaboration
Collaboration among Jacobs, McLaughlin & Harvey, Scottish Borders Council, Transport Scotland, Scottish Water, SUSTRANS and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) enabled successful delivery. The project was divided into three contracts: advanced works, direct defenses and finishing works.
Best practices developed on similar projects guided the diversion of 20 kilometers of services during the first stage. All major services were rerouted into a single trench, improving deteriorated networks, saving more than a year of program time and cutting costs by millions of pounds.
Due to tight spatial constraints, about 25% of defenses were built from an in-river platform. Close coordination with SEPA ensured the river’s delicate ecological balance was preserved. Finishing works were completed by local subcontractors, capitalizing on regional expertise and knowledge of the landscape.
Through collaboration and decisive action, Hawick gained more than flood protection: the project delivered public realm improvements, enhanced amenities and an economic boost, including jobs for more than 150 apprentices. Delivering the scheme as a single staged program saved an estimated £40 million compared to multiple standalone contracts.
Lasting impact
Sustained relationships, experienced teams and a right-first-time approach laid the foundation for success. Retaining enthusiastic and skilled staff over the 20-year project period built client confidence and delivered added value well beyond flood protection. The project’s legacy includes:
- Stronger collaboration across multiple stakeholders, setting a model for future infrastructure projects
- Integration of local expertise, ensuring solutions were tailored to Hawick’s landscape and community
- Enhanced amenities and economic growth, with new public spaces and improved infrastructure benefiting residents and businesses
- Skills development for the future, including more than 150 apprenticeships, equipping young people with lasting career opportunities
Project awards
- Environmental Project Award, British Construction & Infrastructure Awards 2025
- Project of the Year and Resilience Award, Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2025
- UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £1M and £3M, Ground Engineering Awards 2025
- Project of the Year, Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2024
(>£500K) generated for the local economy
($54M) saved through combining multiple project phases under one contract
Flood defence walls
Images courtesy of Scottish Borders Council and McLauighlin & Harvey
