Scottish Water bows to pressure over park
COMMUNITY pressure has forced Scottish Water bosses to rethink plans for an infrastructure project in Queen’s Park.
The firm is in the process of completing the £100million Shieldhall Tunnel project, which needs a ventilation stack to be built in the park.
But locals – including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – entered dozens of objections to an original planning application.
Now Scottish Water has withdrawn that application and submitted a new one for a different location in the green space.
A spokeswoman for Scottish Water said: “Scottish Water welcomes feedback on any planned investment and we have listened to the issues community members have raised about the original planned location for the ventilation stack in Queen’s Park.
“As such, the original planning application was halted and another submitted in respect of the new location for the stack approximately 100 metres further south in the park and even further away from residential properties.”
The construction phase of the 3.1-mile tunnel was completed in October. The feat of engineering will, it is aimed, help improve water quality in the River Clyde and reduce the risk of flooding in parts of the south of Glasgow.
The ventilation stack will enable air to enter the tunnel and filtered air to leave it.
The closing date for comments on the new planning application is Tuesday and locals are encouraged to make their views known.
Local councillor Soryia Siddique said: “Residents have been in communication regarding the application and so I would welcome local residents and community councils’ views on the application being submitted.”
The new site is further way from the original site, which was close to the edge of the park, and is now Parks maintenance staff and screened by shrubbery.
Local councillor Mhairi Hunt- er said: “I appreciate that Scottish Water has listened to local concerns and changed the location of the vent stack.
“The main concern remains the possibility of unpleasant odours but I have been reassured by Scottish Water officials that there will be no bad smells.
“I would encourage people to continue to engage with Scottish Water and hopefully we can resolve their concerns together.”