Scottish Water has confirmed it is to start a major project on Mull later this year.

The project will improve services on Mull and will be one of the largest and most important it has carried out in the Inner Hebrides.

The investment, worth £5.7m, will provide clearer, fresher drinking water to residents in the Craignure area and enable growth to meet demand during the peak summer months in the Tobermory area.

Paul Morley, Scottish Water’s water operations team manager, said: "This is one of the most important projects Scottish Water has embarked on in Argyll & Bute and we know that customers and businesses on Mull will welcome the long term benefits of these major improvements to our infrastructure.


"The project follows a strategic review by Scottish Water of options to tackle water supply and growth issues on the island and we are delighted to be starting our work later this summer."

During the upgrade, Scottish Water said that stretches of the A849, between Salen and Craignure, and on the road from Tobermory Water Treatment Works to Loch Peallach, would be affected, with temporary traffic lights and lane closures in place at certain points.

Jane McKenzie, Scottish water’s regional community manager, added: "We will do everything possible to minimise any disruption or inconvenience to people in the area where we will be working.

"We will ensure that we keep our customers informed and we hope that anyone who wants to find out more about our work will attend the information event on June 25.

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience but we are sure that our customers will appreciate that any short-term disruption will be far out-weighed by the long-term benefits this substantial investment in this part of Mull will deliver."

The scheme is expected to start at the end of September/beginning of October and last for 18 months.

Scottish Water plans to hold a customer information event at Craignure Village Hall on 25 June between 4pm and 8pm, regarding the works.

(JP/CD)