Milestone as more than half of Perth super sewer pipework is laid

“With the team from our delivery partner, Caledonia Water Alliance, we have been working at pace to progress the new pipework at Tay Street and Shore Road.

As with any construction project on this scale we recognise that the work is disruptive, though essential in improving the capacity and resilience of the waste water network in Perth. This is crucial for the service we provide to current and future customers as the city continues to grow and the climate changes.”

David Lavery
Scottish Water’s Senior Project Manager

MORE than half of Perth’s upgraded ‘super sewer’ has been laid as the construction approaches a two-week pause over the Christmas period.

The multi-million pound investment in the Fair City got under way in Spring 2023, aimed at increasing capacity within the sewer network to accommodate Perth’s projected growth, and reducing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas between the city centre and Muirton.

So far almost 280 metres of the 2.2 metre diameter lower-carbon pipework has been installed on Tay Street – between Canal Street and the railway bridge – and Shore Road, more than half of the 501 metres required.

Until January there will be reduced activity on Tay Street, but work is expected to continue in Shore Road up to 23 December.

The next phase of the 20-month project begins in January and will see some changes to the site and traffic management in Tay Street.

From 8 January, the one-way running lane which has been in operation for local access along Tay Street, from Marshall Place to Canal Street, will have to be removed to allow the construction of underground chambers, connecting the new ‘super sewer’ to the existing main sewer. There are also some changes affecting access to private car parks on Tay Street.

To enable this phase of the work to be completed safely and without impact on service to customers, a section of the operational sewer will be temporarily diverted via above-ground pipes. Scottish Water has written to local residents and businesses to inform them of the changes - and alternative parking and drop-off arrangements which are expected to be needed for up to 3 months. Full details are available on Scottish Water’s website: www.scottishwater.co.uk/Perth.

Scottish Water is aiming to have all work north of the railway bridge in Tay Street completed and the road reinstated by the beginning of April, enabling much-improved access and parking for residents, businesses and visitors to the city centre. The focus will then move to the shorter stretch of work on Tay Street south of the railway bridge, as well as continuing progress northwards along Shore Road.

Scottish Water’s Senior Project Manager, David Lavery, said: “With the team from our delivery partner, Caledonia Water Alliance, we have been working at pace to progress the new pipework at Tay Street and Shore Road.

“As with any construction project on this scale we recognise that the work is disruptive, though essential in improving the capacity and resilience of the waste water network in Perth. This is crucial for the service we provide to current and future customers as the city continues to grow and the climate changes.

“I’d like to thank those living and working in Perth, or travelling through the city, for their patience while these important works have been ongoing - and reassure them that we’re on track and working hard to complete the construction as safely and quickly as possible.

“There are some changes to traffic management after the New Year, and I’d ask people to follow signage in place as these measures are in place for the safety of everyone. The running lane was implemented to mitigate impact on access for businesses, offices and homes in Tay Street as far as possible – but we have always been clear that it couldn’t be maintained throughout.  In the first three months of next year, our focus will be on restoring much-improved access to the section of Tay Street north of the railway bridge by the Spring.”