Helping Scottish Water reduce flooding

Alnwickhill Road, Edinburgh

Project Overview

Location	Alnwickhill Road, Edinburgh
Sector	Water
Products	Supershaft Plus Ladder Access Platform

Scottish Water had a problem with flooding in Edinburgh, where pressure-relieving valves that were not working had led to bursts. These valves had been the cause of major flooding in the area.

Scottish Water needed our groundworks support to help the installation of two new Pressure Reducing Valves (PRVs) and connecting pipework for Alnwickhill site, which was constructed by George Leslie Ltd.

The challenge

Major flood risk

Long-standing failures in the existing pressure relieving valves had caused bursts and significant flooding in the area, meaning the new installation needed to be delivered quickly and without disrupting already vulnerable infrastructure.

Constrained urban location

The site sat beside one of Edinburgh’s main thoroughfares and close to a new housing estate, creating tight spatial constraints, heavy traffic considerations and the need to minimise disruption to the public.

Large, complex excavation

Constructing an 18.3m x 13.5m x 4.5m deep open excavation with enough clear space for the new valve chamber and pipework posed major engineering challenges, including managing high bending moments and ensuring excavation stability.

Our solution

Our solution centred on designing a groundworks scheme capable of safely supporting the large, open excavation required for the installation of the new pressure-reducing valves. To manage the substantial 1950kN/m bending moment and maintain stability across the 18.3m by 13.5m footprint, we incorporated our Supershaft Plus bracing system into the design.

This high-capacity, modular solution allowed the excavation walls to remain secure throughout the works, ensuring that the valve chamber and connecting pipework could be installed without interruption.

Learn more about Supershaft Plus

In addition to the structural support system, we supplied ladder access platforms tailored to the project’s specific safety requirements. These provided secure entry and exit for site teams, helping operations progress efficiently in the busy urban location.

By combining robust temporary works design with practical site-focused equipment, we enabled George Leslie and Scottish Water to carry out the complex installation safely, effectively and with minimal disruption to the surrounding area.

Get in touch

“The work replaces the existing PRVs at the site and provided an additional 2no. valves within a new partially buried chamber. The project is wholly contained within the existing Scottish Water site which benefits from existing access off Liberton Gardens.”

Ian Morton

Project Manager/Scottish Water