Lochloy Road, Nairn
Project Overview
We are installing a new and improved storm overflow chamber off of Lochloy Road in Nairn.
The new chamber will include a powered screen, which will help prevent sewer related debris from entering the River Nairn.
This project is part of our £500m Improving Urban Waters programme.
Work is currently planned to begin in Autumn 2026.
At a Glance
- To prevent sewer debris entering the River Nairn
- Protecting the natural environment
- Delivered by Caledonia Water Alliance
- Expected start on site: Mon 5 Oct 2026
Protecting the environment
The project will help prevent things like wet wipes and other sewer related debris from entering the River Nairn
What We Are Doing
We are installing a new screened storm overflow chamber within the Scotmid car park by Lochloy Road in Nairn.
The existing overflow chamber is currently located in the centre of the A96 at its junction with Lochloy Road.
The new storm overflow that we install will include a powered screen - an upgrade from the existing infrastructure - which is designed to retain sewer-related debris, such as wet wipes, within the sewer when the overflow need to operate.
Our team will also be carrying out some local sewer realignment works to connect the new overflow chamber to the existing sewer network.
Why We Are Doing It
Working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water has identified priority storm overflows for improvement or replacement - to address impacts on water quality and/or the risk of sewer related debris being released into the environment during periods of heavy rainfall.
Under the banner ‘Draining the Rain, Enhancing the Environment’ the investment will help protect the River Nairn and the wider environment from pollution with things like wet wipes, sanitory products and other items which shouldn't be flushed down toilets.
Latest Update - October 2026
Our main works within Lochloy Road were planned to begin were planned to begin on Monday 5 October. However, due to delays to separate utility works in the area, we have been unable to start as planned.
Following discussions with the relevant partners, we now expect to begin work on Monday 12 October.
At this stage, we still anticipate completing the temporary traffic management phase of the project within the timescale previously communicated, and expect this phase to be completed within 8 weeks of our start date.
Advanace signage in the area will be updated.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this change to the start date, and we would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while we carry out these essential upgrades.
To enable these works to be carried out safely, temporary traffic lights will be in operation at the Lochloy Road/A96 junction during this phase of the works. Traffic management personnel will be on site from 7am until 7pm, 7 days a week, and will be able to take manual control of the lights when required to minimise delays and keep traffic flowing.
Road users are advised to plan their journeys and allow some extra time where possible. Traffic management plans can be found below.
Local businesses will be open as usual; and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
Following engagement between Scottish Water and trunk road operator Amey, planned work to replace and modernise the permanent traffic signals at the Lochloy Road junction has been brought forward and will begin from 19th October. This is within the period of our temporary traffic management arrangements and avoids the need for separate work at the same location at a later date.
We extend our thanks to customers and stakeholders in Nairn who have engaged with our team in the course of preparing our plans. A wide range of options have been considered in its development. Our focus has been on finding the best option to achieve the required environmental improvement, while minimising disruption to the community and the road network as far as possible.
