Scottish Water will begin a £5 million project to improve Annan’s wastewater network and help reduce sewer flooding at times of heavy rainfall early in the New Year.

The water company has planning permission for the investment which will involve the installation of an underground storm water tank in Newington Park, two green control kiosks for the new tank and upgrading sections of the sewer network.

Scott Fraser, Communities Manager at Scottish Water, commented:

“This major investment project will help address internal sewer flooding issues in parts of Annan where an upgrade is now needed.

“Storm flows from the sewers in town, 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 prevent flooding to homes and streets.”

The work, which is due to start in January and will last around 14 months, will be carried out by Scottish Water alliance partner Amey Black & Veatch (aBV).

Brian Whyte, project manager for aBV, said:

“We have been liaising with the community about this project for some time now and now planning permission has been granted we are making final preparations for work to begin on the essential upgrade work in January 2021.”

Andy Ferguson, Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, welcomed the work. He said:

“Dumfries and Galloway Council has supported Scottish Water’s proposals to provide additional storage within the wastewater network system under Newington Park by working collaboratively. The proposed works is a positive step for residents who have experienced surface water flooding in this area.”