A "substantial investment" is to be made at two rivers in the Paisley area, Scottish Water has announced.

The projects will not only help to improve the waste water infrastructure in the area, but help protect the local natural environment.

The improvement work will be undertaken in the Lapsley Avenue area of the town, with the environmental benefits being found at the Espedair Burn and White Cart Water.

Work on the £460,000 scheme is scheduled to commence this week and will involve the construction of a new Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO), with a powered screen, underneath the play park in Lapsley Avenue. In addition, an existing CSO – which does not have screening – will be converted into a manhole. It is anticipated the project will take three months to complete.


George Leslie is the appointed contractor for the project.

To carry out the work, the contractors will dismantle the play park equipment before excavation work to build the new CSO can begin. Once the construction work is completed, the play park will be reinstated to its original condition and a grassed area outside the park will be re-seeded.

Any road or pavement that was excavated will also be reinstated to its original condition, the utility provider has said.

Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water's regional communities team manager, said: "This is an important project which will significantly improve the environment on the Espedair Burn and White Cart Water in Paisley and the River Clyde and we are sure the investment will be welcomed by local residents.

"The project is another key part of our major investment in improving our waste water infrastructure across the Greater Glasgow area.

"We will do everything possible to minimise any inconvenience to customers and road-users in the Lapsley Avenue area and, when we have completed our work, the area will be reinstated to its original condition."

(JP/CD)