Work starts on £120k water main upgrade
Work to overhaul a faulty water main in Crianlarich is underway.
Scottish Water started the work to upgrade the system earlier this week following complaints from residents.
Fed–up villagers had previously called for an improved service in October last year after a burst water main left them high and dry for the fourth time in four months.
Residents and businesses were left without a supply following the burst in Station Road.
The firm is now investing around £120,000 in improvements to a section of water main following pressure from the community and elected representatives.
Work started on Monday, January 7, and will see contractors Clancy Docwra installing 222 metres of new pipe along Station Road from its junction with Main Street.
It’s expected to take around three weeks for completion.
Throughout the work, a road traffic management has been agreed with Stirling Council and will include temporary three-way traffic lights at the junction of Station Road and the A85.
Access to and from Station Road will be maintained.
Ruaridh MacGregor, Scottish Water’s corporate affairs regional manager, said: “This investment follows some bursts on a water main in the area and will further reduce the risk of disruption by improving our infrastructure.
“We’re sure that our customers in the area will welcome the news that improvements are now under way.”
Alan Smailes, of Strathfillan Community Council, said: “We have been campaigning for an upgrade by Scottish Water for some time now following numerous burst water main pipes over the past few years in Crianlarich.
“We’re extremely happy that the problem is finally being resolved and our small community and businesses can look forward to trouble free supplies of fresh water in the future.”
Stirling MSP, Bruce Crawford, said: “It was clear this the situation needed more than just a plaster to fix the problem.
“I’m pleased that Scottish Water has taken this situation seriously and is putting its money where its mouth is to deliver a more reliable water system through Crianlarich.”
Trossachs and Teith councillor, Martin Earl, added: “There has been a long running campaign run by the Community Council and supported by Councillors, MSPs and MPs that has finally seen Scottish Water address the serious problems affecting many residents and businesses in the community. I’m delighted that the work has started and is now dealing with the cause of the problem rather than the repeated attempts to patch up the existing pipe that kept failing.”