Scottish Water has started tunnelling work on a £7 million project to improve the water quality of the River Clyde and reduce the number of flooding issues in Glasgow.

The construction of a new half mile-long sewer in the Yorker area of Glasgow has just begun following the delivery of a new tunnel boring machine (TBM).

The scheme will result in the development of a new combined sewer overflow (CSO) with powered screens at the site of the former Blawarthill Hospital.

The new CSO will spill waste in storm conditions to the new sewer, which will then discharge the waste water into the Clyde, as permitted by the Scottish National Protection Agency. This will help relieve flooding issues that have affected a nearby commercial property.

Scottish Water regional communities team manager Joanna Peebles said: “The project, which will benefit the environment for years to come, is on schedule and we expect to continue to make good progress as the TBM works its way along the tunnel route below ground over the coming weeks and months.”

Contractor George Leslie, working for Scottish Water, is expected to complete the work next summer, depending on weather conditions.

The improvement work in Yorker is part of Scottish Water’s £250 million investment in the Greater Glasgow area’s waste water network.