Works to upgrade the sewer network in Renfrew have been extended after allotments were flooded for the second time in nine months.

Scottish Water’s multi-million-pound investment will aim to protect Paterson Park Allotments, which were recently flooded after a burst in the area.

Ten plots were affected by the incident in September, which necessitated another substantial clean-up operation at the facility.

Glasgow Times:

Last December, plants and vegetables were ruined as all 28 allotments were impacted during a similar event.

John Murray, 68, who owns one of the plots, previously said: “Scottish Water are doing all they can to get it remedied but the damage has been done now.

“The soil and anything in it, like vegetables that were to be dug up will be contaminated and have to be destroyed."

Site investigation works have already begun on a burst-prone 300-metre section under King’s Inch Road, but this is to be extended by a further 550 metres.

Georgina Reid, Scottish Water’s corporate affairs manager in the west, said: “We have been designing and planning a major project to address the age and condition of this particular sewer for some time.

“Recently there has been a significant deterioration in the pipe’s integrity that has resulted in several bursts impacting on local residents and the environment.

“We recognised the importance of addressing the issue as quickly as possible and I am delighted we have been able to extend this first phase of the work.”

Glasgow Times:

Initial site investigations are being carried out along King’s Inch Road between Ferry Road and Crofton Way to establish ground conditions and the presence of other utilities such as communications and power cables.

Once the design has been finalised and preparations are complete, a temporary overland pipe will be constructed to carry the flows from the pumping station.

Access pits will be excavated at strategic points along the route of the existing sewer to allow the lining material to be fed down and drawn through the centre of the pipe.

Councillor John Shaw, an SNP rep for Renfrew North and Braehead, said: “While the speed and seriousness now being shown by Scottish Water is very welcome and hopefully there is finally light at the end of the tunnel, it should be noted that this is a large project which will likely be very disruptive for an extended period starting early next year and likely to run for most of the year.

“Gavin Newlands MP and I met with Scottish Water last week to hear of their plans and to raise the concerns of local residents and the nearby allotments.

“Hopefully the points raised by us, including protection of the allotments until the work is complete, the need to keep main routes open and regular communication with local residents throughout, have been taken on board.”

The second phase of the project will ultimately see a further kilometre of sewer upgraded.