Latest Project News 

14th November 2008 - Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the November edition of the monthly newsletter. View our November E:letter (pdf).

The project at Glencorse has now transitioned into it’s implementation phase, which put simply means we are in the Construction phase. The construction phase will continue for the next couple of years.

The e:letters will shortly become an update on ongoing construction activities which are largely planned and well defined for the foreseeable future – weather permitting!!

15th October 2008 - Official Construction Start

The start of construction of the new works at Glencorse, near Edinburgh was recently marked (2nd October 2008) by Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, who helped to move the first earth in this major project.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said: “The Glencorse works will incorporate all the best thinking in terms of reducing energy use, and the latest technology, while delivering higher quality water for Edinburgh and the surrounding area for many years to come.“

Ronnie Mercer, Chair of Scottish Water, said: “This is a landmark day for our customers as we start the construction of a long awaited new water treatment works for the city. This premier project will continue to protect public health by supplying safe drinking water from a more modern treatment works. Thanks to modern filtration this clearer, fresher drinking water supply will look and taste better for decades to come.

Richard Ackroyd, Chief Executive of Scottish Water, said: “This is a massive investment and shows our commitment to providing the best solution for our customers in Edinburgh. As well as the new water treatment works, Scottish Water is investing in our underground pipe network in the capital with new robust trunk mains being installed as part of the ongoing tram work.

8th October 2008 - Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the October edition of the monthly newsletter. View our October E:letter (pdf).

The Glencorse WTW site establishment work which commenced in August is nearing completion. The project is now entering its construction phase which will commence with excavation activities in October.

The start of construction of the new works at Glencorse, near Penicuik was marked by Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, helping to move the first earth in this major project.

15th September 2008 - Meet the Team - September 08

Members from the project team were again available to discuss the project and answer any questions at the Flotterstone Inn on 3rd September 2008 at our 9th meet the team event.

An initial construction programme was presented including key activites and their estimated duration. View the Inital Construction Programme. A summary of discussions had with local residents and other members of the public who attended the session has been produced. View the summary of discussions.

Future “Meet the Team” meetings/surgeries are likely to take place ‘on site’ towards the end of the year.

9th September 2008 - Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the September edition of the monthly newsletter. View our September E:letter (pdf).

Scottish Water has discharged a number of Planning Conditions with Midlothian Council in order to commence construction at Glencorse. Future conditions will need to be discharged to commence later stages of the project.

The September E: Letter gives information on the latest communications with the community and gives details of what work is currently going on at the Glencorse site.

12th August 2008 - New "Construction" Web Page Launch

To reflect the progress into the construction phase of the project we have launched our new construction area of the web site. Here we will display the latest construction progress including photographs and news from our contractors.

We have moved information from the "What will it look like?" page into this area. Click here or on the thumbnail to visit the "Construction" pages.

11th August 2008 - Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the August edition of the monthly newsletter. Click here to view or on the thumbnail below (pdf).

As a topical tie-in, the Beijing Olympics are about to start, and the Glencorse project is also at “Starter’s Orders”.

Our plans to construct a new Water Treatment Works at Glencorse to serve Edinburgh and parts of Midlothian are about to become a reality as the various permissions required to allow construction to commence are granted.

Scottish Water has received full Planning Consent from Midlothian Council for Glencorse WTW and has also received full Planning Consent from Midlothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council to build the pipelines which will transfer the supply of clearer, fresher drinking water towards Edinburgh.

18th July 2008 - Construction Preparation Begins

The project is now in the final stages of approval for all three planning applications and the team are now preparing for the construction stage of the project.

Further archaeological investigations in the temporary spoil storage fields adjacent to the proposed Water Treatment Works site at Glencorse are due to commence w/c 21st July. Prior to commencing with bulk earthworks and the main construction we must carry out some preparation including temporary fencing erection, creation of road accesses and ground preparation including drainage ponds. We will also be continuing to discuss our plans with other stakeholder including Midlothian Council and SEPA (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency).

Existing over head power lines on the site will be diverted under ground by Scottish Power to enable safe construction access for vehicles. This work is due to commence later this month.

18th July 2008 - Web Site Update

Over the coming months we will be updating the Glencorse website to reflect the movement into the construction phase of the scheme. We plan to include a new "Construction" page which will provide regular updates on progress including site photographs, contractor’s reports and information on any roads & highways interfaces.

In the meantime if you have any specific questions please feel free to contact the project team at glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk.

9th July 2008 - City of Edinburgh Council Grant Planning Permission

The Glencorse Project team have achieved another milestone - the City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning permission for the proposed pipeline which will connect the Midlothian pipes to the existing city infrastructure on the north side of the A720 City Bypass. The application will now be referred to the Scottish Government for determination. For full details of our planning applications please visit the "Planning Application" pages of our website.

The two other Planning Applications for the main Water Treatment Works and associated pipeline in Midlothian have already been referred to the Scottish Government for determination and they have given their approval for this part of the scheme.

The project team is now progressing with plans to commence work on site in August, and will provide more detailed information in due course.

10th June 2008 - June 2008 Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the June edition of the monthly newsletter. Click here to view or on the thumbnail above (pdf).

Scottish Water received planning permission from Midlothian Council in May to build the new Works at Glencorse and the Midlothian section of the new pipeline which will transfer water towards Edinburgh. This is welcome news for Scottish Water and our customers in Edinburgh and Midlothian. The Midlothian applications have now been referred to the Scottish Government for determination.

Our third planning application is currently being considered by City of Edinburgh Council and we await the decision in due course.

Progress will continue at a steady pace, with further careful consideration necessary before construction work can begin on site. Final funding agreements with the Scottish Government will need to be verified. It will also be necessary to finalise construction contracts with a number of companies, this will guarantee that our customers get the best possible deal and that the project is delivered to time and to budget.

15th May 2008 - Planning Permission Granted

Scottish Water has received planning permission from Midlothian Council to build the plant and part of the pipeline which will transfer the supply of clearer, fresher drinking water to around 450,000 customers in and around the capital.

A further planning application in relation to the pipeline into the City is currently being considered by City of Edinburgh Council and we await the decision in due course.

Progress will continue at a steady pace, with further careful consideration necessary before construction work can begin on site.

It is important that we further consult the local community, explaining the construction process and schedule to them. Having established such strong links with our neighbours it is important that we continue in this vein.

Councillor Russell Imrie, Chair of Midlothian Council’s Planning Committee said:

“The application was passed by our Planning Committee and it has now been referred to the Scottish Government for determination.  Having been involved in the extensive consultation on the location of the water treatment works I am delighted that we have now reached this stage.  We will continue to liaise with Scottish Water on this significant project which should ensure a better, clearer water supply to people across the Lothians.”

13th May 2008 - Archaeological Investigations

Following on from the discovery of the neighbouring Roman Camp earlier this year, it was important to establish if there was any buried antiquities or further evidence of roman activity. This aerial view of the site provides a good view of ground investigations recently completed.

Our investigations revealed no further evidence from roman times and no artefacts were found. The photo shows Glencorse Reservoir in the background.
Click here or on the image above to view a larger image (200kb).

6th May 2008 - Scale Model of Water Treatment Works returns to Dalkeith Library

The poster exhibition and 1:500 scale model of the new Glencorse Water Treatment Works has returned to Dalkeith Library and will be on display until 12th May 2008.

This completes the journey the exhibition and model has made over the last few months. The displays have been available for viewing by the public in the following locations; Penicuik Centre, Oxgangs Library, Loanhead Library, Fairmilehead (Scottish Water Office) and Dalkeith Library, as well as being present at the last meet the team event at Flotterstone Inn.

We hope that the information has been informative and are always keen to receive feedback on the project. Feel free to contact us by email at: glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk.

6th May 2008 - Glencorse Project is host to Scottish Agricultural College students.

Students from SAC Edinburgh recently visited the Glencorse Reservoir and met with Project Team members to be given a hands-on feel to delivering a major construction project.

Dr. Jennifer Carfrae, lecturer from the Environmental Teaching Department, commented, “ There is no substitute for getting students out of the class room and into the every day business of project  management. We were delighted to get an early in-sight into how Scottish Water has planned a project of such a large scale within such an environmental setting.”

Jennifer continued, “The environmental aspects of the Glencorse Project are staggering, and it gave a fabulous opportunity for students to appreciate the extent of consultation and investigation that has already taken place, long before any construction has started.”

Kenny Naylor, Stakeholder Manager for Scottish Water, stated “We hope this is the first of many links with SAC.  We are providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to work with us whilst we are building a Works of this scale on their doorstep.”

6th May 2008 - DebRA Charity receives £500 award from Glencorse Team

The Customer Focus Award recently received by the Project Team (see article below) was sponsored by Biwater Leslie Joint Venture. The £500 prize money was donated to DebRA, the national charity working on behalf of people in the UK with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Joy Allan a representative of DebRA can be seen receiving the cheque from Kenny Naylor,  Scottish Water Stakeholder Manager.

For further information on the charity please visit http://www.debra.org.uk/.

5th May 2008 - May 2008 Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the May edition of the monthly newsletter. Click here to view or on the thumbnail above (pdf).

The e:letter covers the ongoing poster exibitions, meet the team event and the viewing figures of recent visitors to the project website.

In March alone we had nearly 900 unique visitors to our website which confirms the importance of providing this facility for the public during the lifecyle of the project.

 

29th April 2008 - Meet the Team - April 08

Members from the project team were again available to discuss the project and answer any questions at the Flotterstone Inn on 23rd April 2008 at our 8th meet the team event.

The 1:500 scale model of the new treatment works and surrounding area was also on display. A computer generator "fly-through" was also presented. This can now be viewed on-line by clicking on the right hand thumbnail and visiting our "What will it look like?" page.

A summary of discussions had with local residents and other members of the public who attended the session can be viewed by clicking here.

29th April 2008 - Customer Focus Award

The Project Team were delighted to receive an award for the delivery of Customer & Stakeholder Management as part of the Glencorse Water Project. Scottish Water Solutions - a delivery partnership of Scottish Water, presented the Award at its annual Awards Ceremony on 24th April 2008 in Livingston.

 

14th April 2008 - April update since submission of Planning Applications

We have been busy over the last weeks preparing drawings and details that have been  sent to over two hundred land and home owners neighbouring the pipelines and Water Treatment Works.

Before any construction starts, we are required to send out formal Notices which explain our intentions to build the pipelines and the new Water Treatment Works. This allows any concerns to be formally raised and considered by all relevant parties.

Full details of how to get in touch with us are included in the formal Notices, however, more information is available by calling 0845 601 8855 and asking to speak to one of our Project Champions. Alternatively, we can be e:mailed at glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk which will allow one of the project team to make contact and provide further information.

Latest Project News

Glencorse Water Treatment Work & Pipelines
Invitation to Meet the Team – The Flotterstone Inn,
Thursday 23rd April 2008

Following on from the submission of our three Planning Applications last month, we are keen to maintain communication with local residents and the general public to provide updates on project progress.

Members of the project team will be in attendance from 2.00pm till 8.00pm on Thursday 23rd April 2008 to answer questions and share details of enquiries we have received to date. We will have a 1:500 scale model available for viewing which gives a very helpful appreciation of how the new Water Treatment Works will blend with the surrounding area.

In addition, we have commissioned a computer generated ‘fly-by’ of the proposed Works which shows the Works within a wider area and this gives good views from the Pentland Hills.

We appreciate the time taken by neighbours and other interested parties to attend our events, and we will continue to host further similar events as we move into the construction phase.

Glencorse Project Road Show

Over the last month and coming month the Glencorse team have been visiting various locations within the community providing information on a poster exhibition and giving the public the chance to view the impressive 1:500 scale model of the new water treatment works.

So far we have been to Penicuik Centre, Oxgangs Library, Fairmilhead Scottish Water Office and displayed posters at Tesco supermarket in Penicuik.

The pictures show the exhibition and model at Oxgangs Library (above) and also posters at Tesco supermarket in Penicuik (right).

In future weeks we will also visit Dalkeith and Loanhead Libraries – see details below.

9th April 2008 - Monthly E:letter Update

Read the latest news from the Glencorse Project Team in the April edition of the monthly newsletter. Click here to view or on the tumbnail above (pdf).

The team have been busy spreading the word including poster exhibitions and the chance for people to view the popular 1:500 scale model of the new water treatment works. 

11th March 2008 - Glencorse Scale Model (1:500)

A 1:500 scale model of the Glencorse Water Treatment Works has been produced. It covers the new treatment works site and surrounding local area. The model gives an excellent interpretation of what the new works and associated landscaping will look like in the future.

Viewing of the model is highly recommended to understand how the building will blend with the existing landscape and minimise the visual appearance of the works from all angles. The model will be availble to view in various locations over the coming weeks. See below:

Penicuik Centre - 11th-14th March 2008

Fairmilehead Office - 14th-20th March 2008

Penicuik Centre - 21st-28th March 2008

Fairmilehead Office - 28th March -4th April 2008  

Oxgangs Library - 4th - 18th April 2008

Loanhead Library - 18th - 28th April 2008

Dalkeith Library - 28th April - 12th May 2008

Further locations will be published in the future - watch this space. Several photographs of the model can be viewed by visiting the What will it look like...?" area of our project website.

11th January 2007 - Monthly Project Update January 2008

We have uploaded our first monthly project update for 2008.

Please click here (pdf) to find out what the project team have been invloved with over the last month and what activites are planned for the coming weeks.

10th January 2008 - Glencorse Partnering Charter

The Glencorse Project Team has commited to supporting the following Scottish Water Destination Statement:

"a sustainable, flexible, efficient Scottish Water business with a partnering ethos that delivers quality at pace within a safe, customer focused and fun environment".

Scottish Water held a Project Charter Workshop on 27th November 2007 in Edinburgh. This brought together 24 professionals from 6 key companies delivering the Glencorse Water Treatment Works. The Project Charter provides a common understanding of this major project and allowed discussion and agreement of our mutual objectives. This forum will meet at regular intervals during the project lifecycle to ensure that we remain on track to meet our delivery targets.

Click here to see the "Glencorse Water Project Partnering Charter" (pdf) and our commitment to delivering success.

21st December 2007 - Public Openday - December 2007 - Summary of discussions

Following each "Meet the Team" event and public open days we try to summarise the key topics discussed with the project team members. "Meet the Team Summary Dec 07" (pdf) captures the points raised at the most recent session held at the Flotterstone Inn on 6th December 2007. 

We will advertise the next of these sessions in the new year. If you have any further comments please feel free to contact us at glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk.

18th December 2007 - Scottish Water receive recognition in National Utility Awards

The partnership delivering the Glencorse Water Treatment Works Project scooped a top award in the Utility Industry Achievement Awards in London this month.

Scottish Water received the prestigious Capital Project Management Award for the Katrine Water Project, beating off competition from hundreds of other projects across the UK, including Southern Water.

The judges were impressed by the innovative nature of the £120m project as well as the fact it was delivered more than two months ahead of schedule and £10 million under budget.

Richard Anderson, Senior Project manager for the Glencorise Works, said: “Winning the Capital Project Management Award is a fantastic achievement considering the fierce competition from the UK’s big utility companies with multi-billion investment programmes.
It is a ringing endorsement for everyone who was involved in the Katrine Water Project and underlines the terrific achievement of our partnership with Black & Veatch and Montgomery Watson Harza in delivering it ahead of schedule and under budget.”

Richard continued, “We arranged site visits to Milngavie earlier this year to allow Midlothian Councillors and officers a chance to view the completed Works that were delivered as part of the Katrine Water Project. The Glencorse Project is being delivered by the same award winning partnership and we look forward to meeting the unique challenges in providing Edinburgh and the Lothians with high quality drinking water.”

Members of the Katrine Water Project Team are pictured receiving the Award.

13th December 2007 - Monthly Project Update December 2007

We have attached a copy of our monthly newsletter which aims to keep all customers and stakeholders up-to-date with project progress. Click here to view (pdf).

In the months leading up to submission of our Planning Applications, we continue to encourage all those we have been meeting, to get in touch and let us know of any concerns or views regarding our proposals.  Feed back continues to be positive regarding the manner and amount of information that is being shared, and if you would like your name added onto the distribution list, please drop a note to the project team at glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk and we will ensure you are included in the monthly updates.

13th December 2007 - Public Open Day, 6th December 2007

Whilst this was the second time we had made an invitation to the general public, it was the forth time, near neighbours and residents had the opportunity to meet with the project team.

The day had been scheduled to provide up-to-date drawings and details ahead of the intended January Planning Application submission.  Confirmation of the Roman marching camp the week earlier changed our plans, and we were able to provide latest details on our change of design.

Copies of our Planning Application Programme (pdf) were made available, and this provided an ideal opportunity to discuss the formal Planning process and how objections can be raised.

In line with planting and re-instatement proposals, we made details of Trees & Grasses (pdf), that will be used throughout the developed areas.  This provides details of the different species of grasses that will be used from roofs, wetlands and general landscaping along with species of trees and bushes to add to the overall landscaping of the site.

13th December 2007 - Roman Marching Camp identified by Archaeological Investigations.
 
As part of site investigations during the design phase, we have undertaken Archaeological surveys across the locations of the water treatment works, storage tanks and pipelines.

This has revealed a ground feature in the form of a regular ditch which has been filled over time that has subsequently been confirmed as Roman in origin.  We immediately engaged the Regional Archaeologist, and upon determining the extent of the feature, we have redesigned the layout of the main treatment building.

We are indebted to the Regional Archaeologist for a simple explanation of the relevance and significance of this latest find within the area, and further information is available by clicking on Archaeological Details (pdf).

13th December 2007 - Scottish Water Promotes Healthy Living

As part of Scottish Water’s commitment to the community a new hydration monitor is being gifted to the centre. With this hi-tech device Tone Zone users will be able to check the fluid levels in their body.

Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Communities, Councillor Jim Muirhead joined Scottish Water’s Senior Project Manager, Richard Anderson at the centre as the two organisations joined forces to promote health and fitness.

Tone Zone Fitness Manager, Stephen Foster even took time out of his busy day to put Richard Anderson through his paces. Richard was keen to point out the importance of maintaining healthy hydration levels to people across Midlothian :

“Over the last couple of years there has been an increasing focus on healthy living in general and in particular focusing on the hydration levels that ideally everybody would want to have to stay properly hydrated everyday.

“We would encourage all adults and children to make sure they’re drinking the right quantities of water to help keep their minds and bodies healthy.  Concentration, agility, and the general health of your body can all be improved by drinking water.”

The average adult should drink 2 litres of water a day to stay healthy. That’s about six to eight glasses. Keeping yourself properly hydrated will keep your skin glowing, boost your energy and concentration levels and maintain a healthy smile.

Councillor Jim Muirhead added :

"We are delighted that Scottish Water has provided us with the body stat analyser which will enable our fitness team to advise Tone Zone users of their hydration levels. It will enable us to provide customers with more information that will help them keep fit and healthy."

The new Glencorse Midlothian water treatment works will supply clearer, fresher drinking water to around 450,000 customers in the Lothians. People can keep themselves properly hydrated for less than a pound a day.

13th December 2007 - Poster Exhibition, Penicuik Centre 30 November – 7 December 2007

The Penicuik Centre provided an excellent venue for our first poster exhibition showing details of the Glencorse location.  Feedback from visitors confirmed the exhibition was helpful in explaining what’s happening and assisted understanding of the complexities of the project.

We were delighted to use the new venue in Penicuik, and encouraged by comments on the quality of images and easy reading of text.  Further exhibitions are planned to provide more information particularly during the formal planning application phase.

 

3rd December 2007 - Public Open Day - Thursday 6th December, 2007 in the Flotterstone Inn, Penicuik

We have arranged an Open Day for 6th December 2007 in the Flotterstone Inn, Penicuik, when the project team will be in attendance from 1.00pm till 8.00pm. Invitations have been sent to neighbours , community forum members and adverts are arranged for local press promoting the Open Day.

The purpose of the day is to show our latest drawings and designs, and ahead of submitting the planning application in January next year, it gives an opportunity to make alterations in the light of discussions taking place on the day.

We would be pleased to hear you are able to attend, and to assist us to address any specific issues, please drop an e:mail to the project Mailbox, glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk ahead of the day.

3rd December 2007 - Poster Exhibition, Penicuik Centre, 30 November - 7th December 2007

A series of posters are on display within the Drum area of the Penicuik Centre, providing information to the local community. 

This also provides an opportunity to remind customers of the health benefits of drinking 6 - 8 glasses of water a day, and we will be working with Midlothian Councils, Sports and Leisure team to promote this message.

3rd December 2007 - Project Charter

In keeping with best practice on large civil engineering projects, Scottish Water held a Project Charter Workshop on 27th November 2007 in Edinburgh. This brought together 24 professionals from 6 key companies delivering the Glencorse Water Treatment Works.

The Project Charter provides a common understanding of this major project and allowed discussion and agreement of our mutual objectives. This forum will meet at regular intervals during the project lifecycle to ensure that we remain on track to meet our delivery targets.

The photograph below shows those individuals who signed the Project Charter on behalf of their respective companies.

Monthly Project Update November 2007

We have attached a copy of our monthly newsletter which aims to keep all customers and stakeholders up-to-date with project progress. Click here to view (pdf).

In the months leading up to submission of our Planning Applications, we continue to encourage all those we have been meeting, to get in touch and let us know of any concerns or views regarding our proposals.  Feed back continues to be positive regarding the manner and amount of information that is being shared, and if you would like your name added onto the distribution list, please drop a note to the project team at glencorse@scottishwater.co.uk and we will ensure you are included in the monthly updates.