Scottish Water has successfully upgraded a century-old Victorian sewer in Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh.

The new modern sewer allows for an increased capacity in the network while also reducing the risk of flooding in the area and helping to keep Edinburgh's wastewater cycle flowing.

Upgrades to the sewer took place over a nine-month period. Amey Black and Veatch (aBV) began the work in October to install 250m of new sewer up to 3.5m underground. The work to install the new 1.2m diameter storm storage sewer pipe was carried out on four phases in order to keep disruption to the area to a minimum.

Further work is to begin this week to resurface sections of road on both Eglinton Crescent and Magdala Terrace where the diversion route operated.


Gas distribution company SGN will also complete its final reinstatement work in the area. Some traffic management will be in place.  

Paul Sexton, Alliance Management General Manager, said: "We would like to say thank you to everyone who lives, works and travels around the Haymarket area. We know this work has been disruptive and the public have been very patient and understanding of the benefits of helping prevent future flooding with this vital upgrade. 

"This has been an extremely challenging project which saw us having to navigate a huge number of other services in the area whilst trying to keep the busy roads around Haymarket flowing smoothly. We did this using a variety of techniques both high tech and traditional, to ensure customers' essential services were not impacted."

Raymond Hope, aBV project manager, added: "This is essential work has built a much greater capacity into Edinburgh's sewer network and ensure the city's waste water cycle is fit for the demands and future development of a 21st century capital."

The upgrade was part of Scottish Water's programme of investment between 2015-2021 which will see £29.5 million of water and wastewater infrastructure projects completed across the capital. 

(CM/LM)