Award judges are digging Paisley tunnel project
Water team shortlisted for excellence accolade
A multi- million pound waste water project in Paisley has been shortlisted for a tunnelling excellence award.
Scottish Water’s £ 17 million project aimed to improve the water quality and natural environment in the Espedair Burn and White Cart Water as well as tackle flooding in the Paisley area.
It has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s New Civil Engineer Tunnelling Festival Awards: Tunnelling Project of the Year and Community Engagement Project of the Year.
Completed in June, the major engineering project involved the construction of a mile-long sewer under the streets of Paisley and the installation of combined sewer overflows.
Brian Boland, project manager for Scottish Water, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards – it’s great for the hard work of the project team to be recognised so we’ll keep our fingers crossed for success.
“This work was undertaken in a busy, urban environment and while the route of the sewer tunnel was chosen to minimise disruption for residents, road users and businesses, some disruption was unavoidable.
“Some of the roadworks in place during the project meant that we simply couldn’t avoid disruption for pupils and families on the school run to St Charles’ Primary, and so it became a key focus for our community engagement work.
“Volunteers from our project team gave their time to carry out activities to help improve the visual appearance of the school playground and the school environment.
“It’s been great to leave a legacy and help make a difference for local people.”
The project team took time to meet with the school teachers and children and explain the project to them.
They also built and installed raised plant beds and welly pallets for kids to hang their boots on, repaired concrete steps in the playground and also upgraded the school’s adventure playground.
A competition run in conjunction with the school led to the naming of one of the Tunnel Boring Machines on the project – Tunnelling Tanya.
Depute head teacher, Judith Kirk said: “We can’t thank Scottish Water enough. They’ve been a fantastic organisation for the school to work in partnership with and the personal approach taken by the project team has been great.
“The playground looks fantastic after all of the improvements which have been made and the children are amazed at the difference.
“We feel very lucky to have been involved with Scottish Water and appreciate everything Brian Boland and his team have done for us.”