Scottish Water have begun work on a £5 million project to improve Annan's wastewater network and help reduce sewer flooding.

Work is underway to install an underground storm water tank in Newington Park and upgrade sections of the town's sewer network.

The project began in February. To date Scottish Water have erected over 700mtres of anti-climb security fencing and installed CCTV security monitoring to protect the community from accidental access to the working area. They have laid 90 metres of 450mm diameter pipeline and have commenced excavation of the 25m diameter storm tank

The work is due to last until the end of Spring next year and is being carried out by Scottish Water alliance partner Amey Black & Veatch (aBV).

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Scott Fraser, Communities Manager, at Scottish Water, said: "It is great to see work underway for this important sewer project. This project is designed to do all we can to reduce future sewer flooding in Annan, including in areas where this has been an issue previously.

"We appreciate this work will cause some inconvenience in terms of possible noise or traffic issues and are very grateful for the community's understanding while we work on this essential upgrade."

The project will also see two green control kiosks for the new tank put in place near the existing playpark. They will have control tank pumps and will have a security fence built around them.

Scottish Water will upgrade the equipment in the children's play area in the park ahead of it reopening in a different area of Newington Park once the work is finished.

Storm flows from the sewers in town, which can become overloaded, will be redirected to the new underground tank. The tank will retain the water until storms subside when the water is then pumped back into the sewers to help prevent flooding to homes and streets.

A temporary access road formed part of the planning application for the construction phase of the project. Construction vehicles will access Newington Park from Standalane. 

Most of the Newington Park - including the children's play area - are closed while the upgrade is carried out. The walkways at the edge of the park and football pitch remain open.