Call for sewage issue to be progressed to deal with 'overgrown mess'

Their £2.2m pipe renewal works were completed at the foot of May Street at the end of November - but the grass area adjacent to Largs seafront has been ignored.

Councillor Tom Marshall says the utility firm told him that the grass would be re-seeded in the summer - but is still waiting for work to begin.

He says locals are concerned over the 'ongoing eyesore' as the town eases out of lockdown.

The issue has been an area of concern since February after it was raised by Patricia Perman at a Largs Community Council meeting.

Councillor Marshall said: "It was good that Scottish Water commenced an upgrade of the sewage system to prevent the discharging sewage on to the beach.

"They put a larger diameter pipe in the system so storm overflows should be minimal but when they do occur, they will discharge out in to the sea.

"However the scheme was finished last February and they have not reinstated the grassed area on either side of the bottom of May Street next to the promenade

“I have been in touch with them on a number of occasions and keep getting promises that the work will be done shortly - yet they have not done so.

"I think it’s unfortunate that in a tourist town like Largs, where the council makes great efforts to maintain the seafront, such works have not been completed. Quite frankly the area has been left an overgrown mess. It must also be a nuisance and an eyesore to surrounding residents

"Next week I intend to contact Scottish Water for the fourth time and seek some assurance that the work will be done

"Hopefully if they read this in the local newspaper it may stimulate a response."

The improvement work involved the renewal and upgrade of sections of the existing wastewater infrastructure near to the beachfront in Largs so that the network can continue to serve customers and protect the local environment.

A significantly longer, screened outfall pipe - 220 metres in length from shore to sea - replaced a short storm outfall pipe which was just 80 metres long.

This now means that combined storm water is screened and can be returned much further out into the deeper sea channel, reducing the potentially negative impact on the seafront bathing water and the wider marine environment.

Mrs Perman has also called for the area to be re-turfed 'as soon as possible'.

A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “Our landscaping contractor will be attending site next week to carry out some preparation works. The reinstatement of the area is expected to take place thereafter.

“The landscaping was not carried out earlier this summer as planned due to Scottish Water's investment programme being halted due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We would like to thank local residents for their patience, whilst we delivered this important environmental improvement project which will help protect and enhance coastal waters”