Corstorphine Road to Reopen 12 Days Before Christmas

“This investment ensures homes and businesses remain protected from flooding while enhancing the environment for everyone”

Ethan Gillies Denning
Senior Project Manager Scottish Water

Scottish Water has completed its £3million Improving Urban Waters project to help prevent sewer related debris from entering the Water of Leith.

A new screened storm overflow chamber has been installed on the existing outfall pipe on Corstorphine Road after six months of work.

The road, a major route into Edinburgh, has been reduced to one lane under temporary traffic lights since June, but is set to fully reopen by Friday 12 December.

Scottish Water Senior Project Manager Ethan Gillies-Denning said: “We are completing a few days later than planned due to recent heavy rains, which resulted in us losing valuable time.

“Working on such a busy and important route into the capital was always going to be a challenge and not just because of the volume of traffic.

“The Oasis concerts in the summer and more recent rugby autumn internationals meant large crowds heading to Murrayfield, and we are grateful to partners and stakeholders for their efforts to ensure fans were not delayed or inconvenienced.

“We would also like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding over the past six months. 

“We understand it won’t have been easy for them to have us working literally on their doorstep, but I am sure they will appreciate the benefits now that work has been completed.”

The project is part of Scottish Water's Improving Urban Waters programme, an additional £500million package of investment to improve the environment and make it more enjoyable for customers to explore their local area.

Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement for water quality or aesthetic – sewer related debris – reasons.

Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment helps prevent sewage related debris such as wet wipes from entering the environment during periods of rainfall.

Ethan Gillies Denning added: “This is a major upgrade on a key asset that will make a real difference for people enjoying their surroundings.

“Wipes and other items that shouldn’t be in the sewer system in the first place will now be caught before they can escape into the Water of Leith when the overflow spills during heavy rain.

“This investment ensures homes and businesses remain protected from flooding while enhancing the environment for everyone.”

The project was delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance.

Customer Manager Jennifer Renton said: “We are pleased to see this project nearing completion, where despite some challenges, progress has been strong.

“We want to thank the local community for their patience and understanding throughout the project.

“This work is a vital part of Scottish Water’s Improving Urban Waters programme, helping to protect our rivers and create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone."

“Together, we’re investing in improvements that will safeguard our environment for generations to come."