The Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme is one of nine infrastructure projects fast-tracked yesterday by the Scottish Government identifiying them as being "of national importance".
The schemes are identified in the government's second National Planning Framework, published for consultation yesterday. Most of the schemes will require planning consent and including them in the National Planning Framework will obviate the requirement at any planning inquiries for a debate about the need for them as ministers have now already decided that they are of national importance, cutting the time taken to deliver. Ministers may intervene at any stage of the process to ensure that decisions are made speedily. Any subsequent examination of the detailed planning implications, whether by a session of a public inquiry or a hearing, will therefore be concerned with matters such as siting, design and the mitigation of environmental impacts, not the principle of the development itself.
The Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme development will address the upgrading and replacement of drainage infrastructure, including new water treatment plants, and associated catchment management and flood risk reduction measures.Elements in the scheme will incorporate new and replacement trunk and local sewers; pumping stations; waste water treatment works; catchment management and flood risk reduction measures; and sustainable urban drainage (SuDS) schemes.
Substantial improvements in drainage infrastructure and water catchment management are required to reduce flood risk and support regeneration and economic development in the Glasgow Conurbation, especially on the east side of the city. .
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.