Right: A model of the Edinburgh docklands used for identifying sites "with attitude" by Paul Barnes Hoggett.

This far reaching investment in the water network, delivered by Horizons Hydro Engineering, will help transform Forth Ports’ former brownfield sites into a modern residential community. The development looks to the future of the Edinburgh waterfront, with a new infrastructure delivering an increased drinking water supply to support those new homes turning on their taps right up until 2026.

After 2006 it seems that all development will be completed and no new building is likely to take place that would require increased water supplies.
 
Douglas Coleman, Forth Ports plc Director of Development said: “This significant project has delivered more than two miles of large trunk main (300mm) stretching east from Granton Square to Great Junction Street. The route runs predominantly along the side of an existing cycle path, which significantly reduced disruption during the construction phase.

"This water infrastructure reinforcement investment represents the last phase of a programme of multi-utility upgrades and secures drinking water supplies to Forth Ports’ residential developments at Granton Harbour, Western Harbour as well as the Harbour development at Leith.”
 
Forth Ports chose Horizons Hydro Engineering, for the convenience and reassurance of having experts handle the development of the site’s water network at every stage.
 
David Mackenzie, Horizons Hydro Engineering’s Senior Project Manager said: “We worked very closely with Forth Ports for several years, developing solutions to upgrade existing water and waste water networks to allow the docklands development to proceed without detriment to Scottish Water’s existing customers.

“The new water main was completed and commissioned this summer. Together with a future solution to upgrade the waste water infrastructure it will enable development right up until 2026.”

As well as upgrading the water network, construction at the Forth Ports development has brought other benefits such as improved road and pathways.   Horizons Utilities, also part of Horizons who installed the new main, laid new pipe-work along a cycle track, 1km of which was in poor condition.  
 
The path, which runs between Five Ways Junction on the Ferry Road path and the Water of Leith path, is one of very few sections of the North Edinburgh Path Network not to be surfaced.
 
Katharine Taylor, National Cycle Network Development Manager with Sustrans Scotland (pictured) is delighted that Forth Ports and Horizons Hydro Engineering have helped to improve this missing link for cyclists and walkers in Edinburgh:
 
“When Scottish Water approached us to tell us of the proposed pipe-laying along this path, we immediately saw the opportunity to upgrade this sub-standard section. When replacing the path, Scottish Water’s contractors improved the drainage and provided a great base for the bitmac surface that Sustrans and City of Edinburgh Council will lay later in the year. This project is a great example of working together to achieve multiple objectives.”
 
Willie Turney, Head of Horizons Utilities , said: “We were keen to ensure that all construction work on-site is carried out timely and safely.  Using the latest techniques, we aimed to reduce disruption to the local community and to the surrounding environment.” 
 
In 2008/09 alone Scottish Water connected around 18,000 new homes, investing some £65m to create growth in water and waste water projects.  It also supported house builders who construct and upgraded networks as part of their development plans, with payments of nearly £18m annually.
 
Scottish Water is committed to helping Scotland grow and is keen to continue to lead and support development and economic growth in these challenging times.
 
The Scottish Government has recognised the Forth Ports development as forming one of 8 strategic development areas in Scotland, and as essential to the Scottish economy. Forth Ports has been working with Scottish Water’s Strategic Development team for a number of years now, progressing this project and others.

David Weber, Scottish Water’s Strategic Account Manager for the area said: “We are working with communities, developers and local authorities the length and breadth of Scotland to meet their needs and deliver tangible benefits through investment in clearer, fresher drinking water projects and initiatives which help protect our natural environment and deliver the additional capacity which allows communities to prosper and grow.
 
“This significant project which will secure drinking water supplies to new residential communities in the north of the capital is further evidence of Scottish Water’s forward thinking and commitment to keeping Scotland’s economy flowing. This long term strategy will help the housing market to recover, while keeping costs to our customers to a minimum.”