THERE are fears an Innerleithen burn may flood, due to rocks in the water.

A meeting of the town’s community council last Thursday heard of the flood risk at Leithen Water.

Chairman Gordon Daly said: “Hedley Phillips [a member of the public] sent me an email with an attached picture to show that the Leithen Water has been dammed by someone tipping rocks into one side of the river.”

The meeting was told the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) had been contacted regarding the issue.

The email to the community council stated: “I reported this to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), who have been dealing with it.

“I chased since but I’m unhappy with the progress and would like to highlight the issue with IDCC and hopefully get wider community involvement.

“My concern is that half the river has been completely blocked and that later in the year, when the level rises we may see flooding, which has the potential to impact on building’s insurance.”

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler suggested that the community council should write to SEPA expressing concerns that it is not acting quickly enough.

Tweeddale East councillor Julie Pirone added that a letter should be written to Scottish Borders Council’s flooding officer, Duncan Morrison, who would liaise with SEPA.

A SEPA spokesperson said: “SEPA has been and continues to engage with the landowner to agree a suitable remediation solution which will prevent further damage to the river.

“SEPA will engage with relevant stakeholders as part of this process.”