Work is progressing on a £20 million pipe installation project in Edinburgh, with the completion of the first few hundred metres of pipe at the foot of the Pentland Hills near Balerno.

The scheme involves the installation of seven miles of new pipes to deliver clean drinking water to more than 165,000 people in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

When complete, the extended network will also have the capacity to link to other existing and future water supplies across parts of the south of Scotland.

The first sections of pipe being laid measure 500mm in width and each weigh one tonne. The bright blue plastic pipe has a cover on both ends to protect the inside of the pipe and these are only taken off just as the pipes are connected by hand.

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A two-way treated water link will be created between Marchbank Water Treatment Works, near Balerno, and Glencorse Water Treatment Works in the coming months.

Construction is mostly taking placing on private land and being carried out by Scottish Water alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.

The construction team has worked hard to overcome a number of challenges in the area including the proximity of parts of the site to overhead power cables. Part of the pipe line will also go near a military training area and practise trenches which date back to World War One. A watching brief will be in place during work in these areas to ensure any archaeological remains are located and recorded.

Elsewhere a tunnel crossing will also be dug under the A702 Biggar Road near Hillend to avoid major disruption when work takes place here next year.

Local schools, businesses and residents, as well as community groups are being kept updated on the project. Lorries bringing the pipes to the construction areas are traveling on surrounding roads at quieter times of the day and noise and disruption is being kept to a minimum.

Scott Fraser, Scottish Water Regional Corporate Affairs Manager, said: "It is exciting to see the start of this essential project to make the water supply for many of our customers more resilient. As always, we thank everyone impacted by our works for their patience and understanding."

(CM)