Scottish Water is investing £3 million to upgrade and reinforce ageing sewer infrastructure beneath Waterloo Place in the heart of Edinburgh.

The works, scheduled to start in September, will enhance the long-term resilience and reliability of a key section of the city's water and wastewater network serving homes and businesses.

The programme follows CCTV inspections that identified a collapse within the sewer under the road. Specialist techniques will be used to repair the damaged section, strengthen the surrounding infrastructure and install new pipework.

To enable the project to be delivered safely, the westbound carriageway of Waterloo Place will close from Monday 7 September for approximately 11 weeks. The eastbound lane will remain open throughout.

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A signed diversion for westbound traffic will operate via London Road – Leith Street, and road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. Pedestrian access will be maintained and businesses in the area will remain open as usual.

Scottish Water's Project Manager, Richard Morris, said: "These repairs are essential to ensure the long-term resilience of the local water and wastewater network that serves the city."

"We understand that this is a busy part of Edinburgh city centre and will cause some disruption, however, every effort has been made to minimise the impact wherever possible."

"We would like to thank everyone affected for their patience and understanding while we carry out these vital repairs and would encourage anyone travelling through the area to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys."

The project, to be delivered by Mackenzie Construction on behalf of Scottish Water, includes strengthening an existing manhole and the surrounding ground, installing a new section of sewer and repairing other parts of the pipeline to protect the reliability of the wastewater network.

The works will also divert and upgrade a 130-year-old 12-inch cast iron water main with around 25 metres of new pipeline, improving the resilience of local water infrastructure.

Where possible, the site will operate seven days a week between 7:30am and 8pm to complete the repairs as quickly and safely as possible.