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SINCE 2013, SCOTTISH WATER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CHALLENGING GROUND CONDITIONS AROUND THE KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PLAYING FIELDS. EMYLIE HOWIE 12:29, 03 Jun 2025Updated
12:29, 03 Jun 2025 After more than 10 years of interventions, a major project has been completed to protect waste water services to customers in Renfrew. Since 2013, Scottish Water has been
involved in efforts to address the challenging ground conditions around the King George V Memorial playing fields. Brian Campbell, delivery manager with Scottish Water, told the _Paisley
Daily Express: _“The ground is mainly Clyde Alluvium – clay, silt and sand deposited by the river – which is easily compressed and becomes unstable. “Unfortunately, over the years this has
caused a range of problems culminating in a sewer collapse eight metres underneath the King George V Memorial playing fields. “The scale of the challenge has been matched by the scale of the
solution and completion of this project marks a significant milestone for the community and our customers.” A substantial package of ground investigation and monitoring work was undertaken
which included regular tankering from the sewer to clear back-up and the installation of temporary pumps. Article continues below In the meantime, a project was developed to address the
difficult ground conditions and replace the damaged section of sewer. Carried out by delivery partner George Leslie and specialist sub-contractors, work began in November 2023 and involved
driving metal sheets into the ground to create a cofferdam. Ground water was then extracted from the work area to allow the eight-metre-deep sewer to be safely excavated. The pipe and
associated manholes were then replaced, and the site backfilled using more suitable materials to minimise the risk of further subsidence or collapses. Ian Jardine, contract manager at George
Leslie, said: “The technical collaboration exhibited by our entire project team including our designer, Cowi and specialist contracting partners including WJ Dewatering and Mabey Hire were
critical in resolving the challenges we faced. “We are proud to have delivered for Scottish Water. The innovative engineering solutions we found to tackle the complex ground conditions will
be a valuable case study for future civil engineering projects.” Mr Campbell added: “To say this has been a challenging project is an understatement, and we are extremely grateful to the
local community for their patience and understanding over the years. “Their cooperation has been just as important as the engineering excellence shown by the project team. “The work reflects
the difficult ground conditions in Renfrew in general, and we have been investing heavily in the area, not least in the playing fields and King’s Inch Road to ensure customers and the
environment are protected. Article continues below “We are now in discussions with the local authority to ensure the playing fields are reinstated to a standard that meets the community’s
needs and expectations for many years to come.” DON'T MISS THE LATEST RENFREWSHIRE HEADLINES – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here