24 July 2025
Share this story:
Road Closure Lifted Early as Improving Urban Waters Project Takes Shape
24 July 2025
Scottish Water has completed a key phase of a flood alleviation project allowing an important route into Stewarton in East Ayrshire to be reopened over a month early.
The B778 Holm Street which links the town to the M77 and Glasgow, was closed at the end of June to allow work on a storm overflow that is being replaced and upgraded.
It was expected to take up to two months, but Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance has completed the work in half the time and it will reopen by Friday 25 July 2025.
Project Manager Ethan Gillies-Denning said: “We knew when we first started planning delivery of the project this was going to be a phase with potentially the biggest impact on the community.
“We did everything possible to mitigate the disruption for customers, including timing the work to coincide with the school holidays and working extended hours and weekends.
“Those efforts have paid off and I am delighted we are able to lift our closure after less than four weeks.
“It has gone relatively smoothly, and we would like to thank residents and road users for being so supportive, patient and understanding.”
The work has been completed early
The project is part of the Improving Urban Water programme
The Kirkford Bridge storm overflow project is part of a £16million package of investments in the town to tackle sewer flooding under Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters Programme.
The additional £500million investment across Scotland is aimed at improving water quality through increased monitoring and reporting, and targeted infrastructure projects to significantly reduce sewer-related debris and spills.
Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement.
Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ over 70 improvements will have been delivered by the end of 2027 benefitting watercourses across Scotland. More are in design for delivery beyond 2027.
The infrastructure programme is being carried out by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.
