An £11.5 million sewer improvement project to address flooding in Airdrie is entering its second phase – which will see three roads closed in turn over the next eight months.
Scottish Water is installing an underground storm tank and new sewer pipes in Craigneuk to increase the capacity of the area’s waste water network.
Its second phase begins on April 12 and will see Willow Drive close for around 10 weeks; followed by nearby Hawthorne Drive for seven weeks from June 21, and Craigneuk Avenue for three months from August 9 until the end of October.
The utility provider says: “Road traffic management has been agreed in conjunction with North Lanarkshire Council and access for local residents will be maintained throughout.
“Residents and road users are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding during these essential works.”
The improvement scheme in Craigneuk started in November, beginning with work to install the storm tank – measuring 25 metres in diameter and 19 metres in depth – at Craigneuk Park.
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It is described as “making great progress”, with the new container set to provide additional water storage capacity during heavy rainfall such as last August’s flash floods which saw residents in 16 households having to evacuate.
Properties were flooded after a torrential 3am thunderstorm in which nearly 21mm of rain was recorded in just one hour, filling local streets with water.
The 18-month water project, expected to be completed by April 2022, will involve installing increased-capacity sewer pipes at Poplar Street, Craigneuk Park and at New Broomfield stadium.
Georgina Reid of Scottish Water said: “Sewer flooding can cause a great deal of distress, and the work being done here will benefit a number of residents in the area who have previously been affected.
“Inevitably, there will be some local traffic disruption while this work is being delivered; however, the long-term benefits far outweigh any short-term disruption.
“We’d like to reassure the local community that we have done and will continue to do all we can to help minimise any disruption where possible.”
