A series of civil and structural improvements are scheduled to begin at North Third Reservoir near Stirling to upgrade access infrastructure and enhance public safety along the popular walking route.

The construction programme is set to commence on Monday 8 June and is projected to take up to 12 weeks to complete.

The scope of works involves the removal and replacement of four deteriorated timber walkways, the installation of a new timber staircase at the northern boundary of the reservoir, and the construction of a completely new section of aggregate path. These upgrades are designed to secure safe long-term access and egress around the water asset for local communities and visitors.

Scottish Water manages the site in partnership with Forestry and Land Scotland, which includes deployment of a dedicated Reservoir Ranger to patrol the area and manage visitor access.

To facilitate construction operations, a section of the footpath along the western shore of the reservoir will be closed to the public for the duration of the project, with clear safety signage deployed on-site. The timing of the temporary closure has been scheduled to coincide with summer weather conditions, which are required to ensure the engineering works are delivered safely and efficiently.

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Detailed pre-construction assessments concluded that it was not viable to keep the primary route operational or establish a safe alternative diversion path within the site footprint while heavy construction activities are underway. Contractors will work to complete the project as quickly as possible, and routine progress updates will be issued as milestones are met.

As part of its ongoing asset management strategy, Scottish Water is inviting site users to provide feedback via an online questionnaire to help inform future capital investment decisions across its reservoir portfolio.

Donna Mills, Scottish Water’s Land Strategy Team Manager, said: "We recognise this temporary closure may cause inconvenience for visitors and local communities, and we would like to thank people in advance for their patience while these improvements are carried out.

"North Third Reservoir is a well-loved destination for walkers and visitors, and we're always looking for opportunities to improve access and enhance the experience people have at our sites. That's why these improvements have been identified as a priority.

"Safety has been a key consideration throughout the planning of this project. Following detailed assessment, it was clear that it would not be possible to keep the route open, or provide a safe alternative path, while construction is taking place.

"Once complete, these upgrades will improve access around the reservoir and help ensure the site remains safe and enjoyable for everyone who visits."