Sewer Relief After First Phase of Major Upgrade Project Completed

23 December 2024
Over a kilometre of temporary pipe was used to carry pressurised waste water

Dismantled

More than a kilometre of temporary pipeline has been dismantled and removed with the newly relined rising main once again carrying pressurised waste water for treatment

“The anxiety, upset and disruption the repeated bursts caused were among the driving factors behind our decision to accelerate a major capital project at an unprecedented pace. I am delighted we have delivered the first phase by Christmas.”

Rob Archer
Scottish Water Alliance Manager

The first phase of a more-than £10million investment to upgrade a strategic rising sewer main between Renfrew and Glasgow has been completed.

Nearly a kilometre of pipe running beneath King’s Inch Road has been relined, effectively creating a new pipe inside the old.

Scottish Water Alliance Manager Robert Archer said: “This section had been the worst affected by bursts over recent years.

“The anxiety, upset and disruption these caused were among the driving factors behind our decision to accelerate a major capital project at an unprecedented pace, and I am delighted we have delivered the first phase by Christmas.

“The newly upgraded rising main will provide resilience for the local network, peace of mind for customers and protect the environment for many years to come.”

King's Inch Road Sewer Burst

There had been repeated bursts on the section of rising main

King's Inch Road Sewer Burst

The poor condition of the pipe meant it was prone to failure

Beginning in February 2024, engineers set up a temporary overland pipeline to carry pressurised flows of waste water while the existing underground pipe was relined.

The temporary pipe has now been removed and will be reused for the second phase of the project, relining the rising main between Ferry Road and the pumping station at the end of North Lodge Road in Renfrew.

Once again, the pipe will be relined through access pits dug at strategic points along the route. The work is due to start in January 2025 and last for approximately 10 months.

King's Inch Road Sewer Upgrade

The existing pipe was relined through access pits

Kings Inch Road Sewer Upgrade

Special valves attached the temporary pipeline

Robert Archer added: “Scottish Water continues to invest huge amounts of customers’ money - £2.7billion over the past ten years – to repair and replace assets while addressing increasing demand and climate change.

“Our work would be significantly harder were it not for the support and co-operation of the communities we serve.

“I would like to thank customers and stakeholders for their patience and understanding so far and look forward to working with them again as we deliver the remainder of this much needed project.”

The project is being managed and delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance and their specialist contractor Environmental Techniques.

CWA Communications Manager Paul Milligan said: “We have done all that we can to keep customers fully informed and listen to their concerns.

“The next phase of the project will bring further challenges but we are committed to doing everything we can to minimise their impact and complete the necessary works as quickly as possible.”