The project will take around 12 months to complete and will increase the capacity of the sewer network to better protect properties and streets from external and internal flooding. Existing infrastructure requires upgrading to allow it to better handle the impacts of changing weather, including rainfall events which exceed current capacity.
Ahead of the main construction works, which are due to start in mid-September, some tree felling has gotten underway within land on the south east corner of the former Royal Victoria Hospital site adjacent to the existing gate house. This is to enable the installation of an access road and a 12 metre diameter, 10 metre deep storm water storage tank.
A total of around 225 metres of larger sewer pipes will be installed along Craigleith Road and Orchard Bank.
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There will be a road closure on Craigleith Road from mid-September for the duration of the project with local access only allowed. A diversion will be in place via Orchard Brae and Queensferry Road.
Traffic calming road humps will also be installed along Orchard Road in the last week of August taking around two weeks to complete. These safety measures, which have been agreed with City of Edinburgh Council are to discourage the use of Orchard Road as a 'rat run' instead of the agreed diversion route.
Scott Fraser, Scottish Water's Regional Corporate Affairs Manager, said: "It's great news that this work to help reduce the risk of flooding is getting under way. Sewer flooding can cause a great deal of distress for people and the work being done here will benefit a number of residents on Craigleith Road who have been affected by sewer flooding in previous years. We are seeing the impacts the changing climate is having, including heavy intensive rainfall, on our sewer networks and projects like this are vital to help maintain service for our customers."
The project will be delivered by Scottish Water's alliance partner amey-binnies.
Bruce Macgregor, Delivery Manager for amey-binnies added: "We appreciate that there will be disruption to the local community during the construction, but we will do everything we can to minimise the impact. We would like to thank the everyone impacted for their patience and understanding."
As agreed with City of Edinburgh Council planning department, following the completion of the project we will be undertaking tree planting to offset those taken down at the beginning of the work.
