The first to be fitted are at homes in Newcastleton, where flooding caused misery for residents in February 2020, with many homes left uninhabitable. SBHA worked alongside colleagues at Scottish Borders Council, the Newcastleton Resilience Group and Community Council and other housing providers in the area to assist, with SBHA co-ordinating efforts in the town to find alternative accommodation for those who needed it.

The new gates, which consist of aluminium panels that can be slotted into place by tenants themselves when a flood warning is given, should ensure that homes are protected from any rise in water levels – something that many in the area have been experiencing with increasing frequency.

Maintenance surveyor Ryan McGee has also been visiting homes to explain to tenants how the gates work and demonstrate their use.

He said: “These gates are very lightweight and exceptionally easy to install, allowing tenants to put them to use to protect their homes. The plan is to be on site the next time there is a flood warning to make sure that everyone is able to manage. We’re also in close contact with the Resilience Team in Newcastleton to make sure that we’re aware of anyone who may need extra help.”

Floodgates are being installed at 24 homes in Newcastleton, and eight at homes in flood-prone areas in Hawick. Gates will also be fitted at homes in high-risk areas in Peebles and Jedburgh. All of these have been affected by flooding in recent years.

Newcastleton tenant Hazel White said: “The help from SBHA during the last two floods and also a few weeks ago when it came close again has been wonderful, I was well looked after. I’d like to thank SBHA for the new flood barriers which are light enough to enable me to install myself should it become necessary.”

Head of property services Caroline Purcell added: “We hope that these measures will mean that tenants are never again faced with a situation like that caused by floods in February 2020. Flooding and other extreme weather events are becoming more common, and in fitting these gates to all of our homes in areas at risk, we are underlining our commitment to the safety of our tenants and communities.”