Scottish Water is set to start work on the final phase of its major investment to improve water mains across Irvine.

The project, valued at £4.5m and which commenced in 2011, will provide clearer, fresher drinking water to 22,000 customers in the area when it is completed later this year.

The scheme, which involves improvements to around 95 miles of water mains, will also reduce the risk of pipes bursting and therefore help improve the security of supply to customers.

As work progresses, Scottish Water has advised customers and road users that some road traffic management will be in place.

Work is set to begin on the A737 Ayr Road, from its junction with Scott road to Three Stanes Roundabout, from Monday 9 September.

It is expected to take around six weeks to complete, and will require a mix of two-way and three-way traffic lights at adjoining junctions.

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The company has said it has been in contact with North Ayrshire Council's roads department with regards to traffic management.

The project to improve water mains across Irvine is being carried out for Scottish Water by Barhale Construction. It is part of a multi-million pound scheme of improvements which will provide clearer, fresher drinking water to more than 300,000 customers across Ayrshire and will see about 700 miles of water mains in the region improved.

Most of the work in Irvine involves a plastic lining being put inside the existing mains, although some sections of mains have been, or are being, replaced and we have also been flushing some stretches of pipes.

Customers in the Ayr Road area have been advised that in order for Scottish Water to maintain normal water supplies during the final phase of our work, they will be transferring water to their existing water main from an alternative source. For the first few days following the start of this work, it is possible that some customers might experience discoloured water. There may also be the need to temporarily interrupt the water supply to some customers in the area, but those affected by a planned interruption will be given notice in writing at least 48 hours in advance.

Jane McKenzie, Scottish Water's regional community manager for the area, said: "We apologise for any inconvenience caused by interruptions to normal water supply or the road traffic management and we thanks customers and road-users in advance for their patience and co-operation.

"We are sure they will appreciate that any short-term inconvenience caused by our work will be far out-weighed by the long-term benefits this important investment will deliver."

(JP/CD)