Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Flood prevention project set to start
A flood prevention project involving creating a new storm water storage tank is set to get underway at Craigneuk Park in Airdrie.
Scottish Water is carrying out the 18- month project following flash floods in August which saw residents evacuated from their homes in nearby Holly Street and Bankhead Avenue after an overnight deluge.
It is now due to get under way in the coming weeks, after the water authority carried out investigation works in September, monitoring and logging water levels recorded in manholes in the area.
Local councillors have welcomed news of the forthcoming work, telling of the impact of flooding on their constituents – including those who had to evacuate their homes in August when 16 properties in Craigneuk and Petersburn were overwhelmed after a torrential 3am thunderstorm which saw nearly 21mm of rain in just an hour.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water told the Advertiser: “A project to improve the local waste water network and help reduce flooding is set to begin in Craigneuk.
“The investment will involve the installation of an underground storm water storage tank in Craigneuk Park and upgrades to sections of the sewer network in the surrounding area.
“Work will initially take place in the park, opposite Holly Street, where site cabins and preparatory work for construction
of the underground storm tank will begin.
“Our alliance partner, Amey Black and Veatch, is delivering the project, which is expected to take around 18 months for completion. We will ensure the local community are updated as works progress.”
Airdrie South councillor Ian Mcneill told the Advertiser: “I hope this will help solve some of the problems which have been going on in this area for quite a long time and resolve issues for residents in Holly Street and Bankhead Avenue.
“The tanks at the edge of Craigneuk playing fields will be able to take some of the water and stop the build-up we’ve had in the past, as it’s been a capacity problem.
“I’m absolutely delighted that progress is being made. I’ve been in dialogue with Scottish Water and council officers, and more needs to be done to help the residents in Petersburn too so hopefully this is the start of that.
“We need to ensure that there’s appropriate capacity so we don’t have further events like these floods, which have had people out of their homes for months.”
Alan Beveridge, the independent councillor for the immediatelyadjacent Airdrie North ward beginning across the railway line from Craigneuk Park, added: “Flooding has blighted this area, particularly around the park where homes were affected, for far too long.
“I’ve had numerous meetings with Scottish Water representatives regarding this and I’m delighted to announce they have identified these actions.
“The first phase of the flooding relief scheme has been given approval to begin construction, and this will commence on site in the near future.”
August’s floods saw fire and rescue crews called to Holly Street and neighbouring Bankhead Place, as well as to Luing in Petersburn, with dramatic pictures showing how the streets were deluged in the late summer storm.
The same exceptional weather event – described at the time by the fire service as “one of the busiest nights the service has seen this year so far” – also saw flooding in premises at Chapelhall industrial estate and on the M8 motorway.