Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MP: People power could save reservoir
Airdrie’s MP is urging local residents to give their views on proposals which could see Roughrigg reservoir being drained – saying that “a strong response could save it”.
Scottish Water announced earlier this month that the water could be drained from the “high-risk” site, three miles east of Chapelhall, as it is no longer used as a supply source and requires significant and costly upgrading work.
Residents are currently being asked for their views on the reservoir’s future and Neil Gray MP says he has received “a number of enquiries from concerned constituents”, including members of the angling club which is based there.
He has since held talks with the water authority and says that “the draining of the water is by no means certain if an alternative to that can be found”, and is encouraging people to make their views known.
Mr Gray told the Advertiser: “Scottish Water have told me they have not taken any final decision and promised that the views of local residents will shape the future of the reservoir.
“There are many reasons to keep Roughrigg’s water level up, not least the environmental aspects and the future of the angling club – but I can understand Scottish Water’s reluctance to be hit with the ongoing dam maintenance costs if it isn’t a working reservoir.
“When there isn’t a huge difference in cost between breaching the dam and carrying out the necessary adaptations, I hope residents with a view will engage.
“If people want the reservoir maintained they need to get involved quickly; a strong response from the community could save it, otherwise I fear it will be emptied.”
Members of Roughrigg angling club previously secured the future of the reservoir when a 2013 decision declaring it “unviable” was overturned and the club granted a 10-year lease for its use.
Scottish Water say that “any failure of the reservoir’s 170-year-old dam could result in significant potential risk to people and property further downstream”, and that a decision on its future is required now because the required safety work to retain the reservoir would have to be carried out by next year.
The current consultation asks for views on either draining the water and replanting the site as woodland; or carrying out “significant works to bring [the reservoir] up to required standards [followed by] whole-life maintenance”. It notes: “Draining the reservoir removes the risk of dam failure and a small body of water would be retained to manage high flows in a flood event.
“Keeping and maintaining the reservoir does not take into consideration any future changes to guidance or legislation, which may incur further unknown costs.”
The survey can be completed at scottishwater.co.uk/ roughrigg until March 22; Scottish Water say: “We will review customer feedback and take this into consideration when making any final decision on Roughrigg as soon as possible thereafter.”