Environmental benefits will be achieved through the use of a responsibly sourced, recycled footpath product called ‘Ultitrec’ to improve the main walking routes around Mugdock and Craigmaddie reservoirs.  This sustainable and innovative material from Tarmac will help reduce waste and conserve scarce primary aggregates.

Speaking ahead of the ten-month-long project, Mark Maclaren, Scottish Water’s communication lead for Milngavie Reservoirs, said: “We are always looking for new ways of transforming our activities, with the environment, customers and communities, and service excellence at the heart of everything we do. Using Ultitrec to upgrade the footpaths allows us to achieve each of these things and we are excited to get the improvement work started.”

This latest project will be delivered by George Leslie Ltd, on behalf of Scottish Water. To help minimise disruption the improvement work will be carried out in phases and on a rolling basis around the reservoirs, beginning on a section known as Lovers’ Lane at Mugdock Reservoir.

Mark Maclaren continued: “It’s important to stress that the reservoirs will be very much ‘open for business’ during these works, however, we will need to close off the sections of paths we’re working on both for health and safety reasons and for good progress to be made. We took the decision to start the works at the end of the school summer holidays to avoid this busy period and to allow people to make the most of the reservoirs during the main summer months.”

The stretch of new pathway at Lovers’ Lane is anticipated for completion around October time. Works are then expected to move to the far end of Mugdock Reservoir, before progressing to the section of pathways nearer to Commissioner’s Cottage around December time. Once the pathways around Mugdock Reservoir have been successfully upgraded, attention will then turn to improving the paths around Craigmaddie Reservoir.

Local group, Friends of Milngavie Reservoir, fully supports the latest improvement work. Eddy Yacoubian, the group’s chairperson, added: “We look forward to the work starting and we know that once it’s completed everybody will enjoy being able to use the whole area at Milngavie Reservoirs - even on a rainy day!”

A variety of projects have already been delivered as part of Scottish Water’s wider multi-million-pounds investment at the site. Upgraded ironworks and a valve tower bridge, a bio-diversity garden, a new ranger service, and the installation of a defibrillator and one of Scottish Water’s iconic top up taps have brought many benefits to the area. Further enhancements, including a wildlife-themed mini-trail, improved signage, and general site maintenance and upgrades to help improve visitor experience, are planned for the coming months.