Oban Water Main Upgrade
Project Overview
Scottish Water is investing approximately £3.56 million to upgrade approximately 2.5km of mains water pipes in Oban.
The project is expected to last 14 months and aims to ensure customers continue to enjoy fresh, clear drinking water and reduce the chances of pipes bursting.
Caledonia Water Alliance and their contractor, AS Utilities, will be carrying out this work on our behalf.
The project will run across multiple sections.
At a Glance
- £3.56m investment
- 2.5km mains upgraded
- 14-month project
- Carried out by our alliance partner Caledonia Water Alliance
What we are doing
We are upgrading approximately 2.5km of mains water pipes in an area where customers have experienced around 10 bursts and interruption to supplies since 2020.
Over 14 months, there will be multiple sections which stretch from an area at Oban Saints Football Club to Polvinster Road.
As part of the work, we will need to widen Glencruitten Road and break a large quantity of rockface/rock near Polvinster Road. There may be some noise from rock breaking work but we will do our best to keep all disruption to a minimum.
The phases are outlined below. Please note that all dates are subject to change as there is a large amount of rock expected, which may affect the overall timing of the programme.
Section 1 - complete
Starting mid-April for approximately four weeks pipelaying will commence around Oban Saints Football Club - the car park will remain closed during this period, the pitch will remain open.
Section 2 - complete
A new water main will be installed on Mossfield Avenue from Wednesday, 28 May 2025, and will be done in three phases over approximately nine weeks (full details below).
Section 3 - complete
Glencruitten Road will be widened and traffic management will be in place. Timescales to be confirmed.
Section 4 - ongoing
Polvinister Road will be closed between 9am and 3pm. Work is expected to start on Monday 19th January and last for approximately three weeks. Outside these times, road traffic management will be in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
Community Engagement
A communications event was held in the clubhouse of Glencruitten Golf club - home of the Ryder Cup winner Robert MacIntyre - before the works started.
The event was well attended and the community had the opportunity to ask questions to the project team about the proposed work.
For more information on the project, including letters provided to customers, see 'Oban Document Hub' section on this page.
Latest Information - Polvinister Road (Section 4)
The next section of these essential works involves the installation of a new water main on Polvinister Road.
It is expected that these works will last approximately three weeks from Monday 19th January.
Between 9am and 3pm the road will be closed. Road traffic management will be in place outwith these hours.
We need to close this section due to the width of the road, pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
Additional car parking will be provided beside our site compound on Glencruitten Road.
