Scotland's biggest tunnel opens to carry sewage for three miles under Glasgow

Scotland's biggest sewer has opened after a multi-million construction project. Pictures: SNS/Scottish Water/PA Wire

Water flows have started to run through the Shieldhall tunnel in the southside of Glasgow which operators say will lead to fewer flooding incidents and better environmental conditions for local residents.

The three-mile long tunnel was constructed over two years by a team of more than 100 workers using a state-of-the-art tunnel boring machine.

It stretches from Craigton to Queen’s Park via Bellahouston and Pollok parks, and Scottish Water said it will alleviate pressure on the existing waste water network with 90,000 cubic metres of extra storm water storage.

The new tunnel marks one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Glasgow since Victorian times

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham visited the Scottish Water control room yesterday and hailed the project as “extraordinary”.

She said: “The strategic importance of the Shieldhall tunnel as part of the ongoing investment across Glasgow by Scottish Water cannot be understated.

“It’s a fantastic example of the capital investment programme delivering real long-term benefits for communities to reduce flooding, help deal with the impact of climate change and improve the environment.

“Much of our underground infrastructure for water and waste water dates to the Victorian era when we proudly led the way in introducing massive improvements to deliver positive impact on the health of our communities.

The completion of the tunnel has involved 100 workers from around world.

“Communities across Glasgow will benefit for years to come from this latest extraordinary feat of engineering which lies hidden deep beneath the city.

“It represents the latest chapter in our collective aim to provide safe and sustainable ways of managing waste in our biggest city.

“Scottish Water is investing £3.5 billion throughout the country to deliver infrastructure.”

The tunnel is the flagship project in Scottish Water’s investment in Glasgow’s waste water infrastructure and will reduce the risk of flooding, particularly in Mount Florida and Giffnock.

Douglas Millican, Scottish Water’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have completed the Shieldhall tunnel, which is the flagship project in Scottish Water’s investment in the waste water infrastructure in the Greater Glasgow area - the biggest in well over a century.

“The city’s waste water infrastructure required major improvements to help transform it into a modern, integrated and sustainable system which will improve the environment and biodiversity on the River Clyde and help tackle flooding.

“As the Greater Glasgow area continues to develop, we are modernising our waste water infrastructure to support the needs of both existing and future customers. The completion of the Shieldhall tunnel is a key part of that network modernisation.”

A consortium - the Costain VINCI Construction Grand Projets Joint Venture (CVJV) - was set up to deliver the scheme.

Neil Grosset, the project director of Costain, said: “The Shieldhall Tunnel is infrastructure that will have a huge positive impact, reducing the flooding risk and improving the environment for the people of Glasgow and the River Clyde.”