Scottish Water Storm Tank
22/9/2022: Work has now begun on the project to install a storm tank on Bruntsfield Links between Warrender Park Terrace and Leamington Walk, at the eastern end near Marchmont Road.
We hope, at the end, to have new trees planted along Leamington Walk, funded by Scottish Water. This has yet to be agreed in discussions with FoMBL, CEC Forestry and Scottish Water.
Scottish Water also want to put up images of historical aspects of the Meadows, in liaison with FoMBL, on the structure which is being erected on the site. This is still to be agreed.
In a press release last year Scottish Water explained about the project and indicated a start date of January this year:
Project to tackle sewer flooding in Marchmont to start in New Year
A major investment project to improve the wastewater network and help tackle sewer flooding in the Marchmont area of Edinburgh is due to begin early in the new year.
Scottish Water has submitted planning permission for the investment which will involve the installation of underground storm water tank in the grassed area next to Warrender Park Terrace and upgrading sections of the sewer network. The storm tank will have the capacity to store 2840m3 of storm water at times of heavy rain fall which is happening more often due to climate change. An above-ground green control kiosk will be installed along the footpath just off Warrender Park Terrace. The kiosk will house controls to operate the pumps for the tanks.
A section of Leamington Walk will be closed for a period of time during the project to allow for a temporary access road for the construction of the tank. A diversion will be put in place to maintain pedestrian and cycle access during this time.
The work, which is due to start in January 2022, will last around 16 months. It will be carried out by Scottish Water alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA).
Along with the construction of the storm tank we will be installing new, larger sewer pipes along sections of Marchmont Crescent. There will be traffic management required for this phase of works and parking will be affected. Graham Hamilton, Project Manager for CWA, said: "We will be liaising closely with the community about this project in the coming months.
"We appreciate this work will cause some inconvenience to people in the area and will do all we can to minimise any disruption."
Scottish Water will notify customers in the area ahead of the work to confirm the start date.
Scott Fraser, Communities Manager at Scottish Water, said: "This major investment project will help address internal sewer flooding issues in the Marchmont area. It is vital that this work is carried out to allow the wastewater network to better handle the impacts of changing weather, including extreme rainfall events which exceed current capacity.
"Storm flows from the sewers, which can become overloaded, will be redirected to the new underground tank. The tank will retain the water until storms subside when the water is then pumped back into the sewers to help reduce the risk of flooding to homes and streets."
Mr Fraser added: "We will continue to engage with people living and visiting the area where work is being done to keep them up-to-date on this essential project. The project team met with local stakeholders, including the local community council and Friends of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links to provide a site walkover and an opportunity to discuss the potential impact the project would have for local residents."