AN £11.5 million Scottish Water project to protect a Lanarkshire community from sewer flooding has entered its final phase. 

The improvement work in Craigneuk Avenue in Airdrie began in November 2020 to increase the capacity of the local waste water network.

The final phase, which consists of installing the remaining sections of pipes and manholes – is now underway and is expected to last approximately 11 weeks.

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Georgina Reid, corporate affairs regional manager for Scottish Water said: “Sewer flooding can cause a great deal of distress for people and this project will benefit a number of residents in the area who have been affected in the past.

“We appreciate there has been disruption and we are doing all that we can to minimise the impact of the works. We’d like to thank the community for their continued patience and understanding.”

A 25 metre storm tank has been installed 19 metres below Craigneuk Park to provide extra storage capacity during heavy rainfall and new sewer pipes have been installed along Willow Drive, Hawthorn Drive, and sections of Craigneuk Avenue.

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The project has been designed to reduce the risk of internal and external flooding, but also to mitigate against flooding affecting local public transport and access to local schools and Airdrie football stadium.

Road traffic management has been agreed in conjunction with North Lanarkshire Council.