Wick water works and traffic disruption to continue until summer 2023 – War in Ukraine and 'difficult ground' blamed for delays

The work in Wick to replace water pipes has been held back due to issues arising from the war in Ukraine and "difficult ground conditions" with a finish date now expected next summer, a Scottish Water spokesperson confirmed.

Some roads are impassable and others severely restricted for motorists negotiating areas around Macrae Street and Kinnaird Street as contractors work on replacing 100-year-old pipes.

A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “Our partner Caledonia Water Alliance and their contractor Nicol of Skene are continuing to make progress with extensive renewal of Wick’s drinking water network – including the replacement of around 15km of water main and cleaning of a further 25km.

“Earlier in the year, work on site had to pause for around three months in response to difficulty obtaining bitumen following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. A reliable supply is crucial to ensuring that the necessary excavations in the town’s road network can be reinstated successfully."

The Scottish Water spokesperson continued: “Following the resumption of work in the summer after this issue was resolved, the team on site has encountered difficult ground conditions in some areas which has slowed progress.

"Our priority is to deliver the work safely and to a high standard, so that the long term benefits of this investment are realised, while seeking to minimise the short term disruption this involves for customers as far as we can. As a result of the challenges we’ve encountered over the course of this year, the full programme of work is now expected to be completed in summer 2023.”

A workman at the site near Macrae Street confirmed this week that some of the pipes date back to 1910 and have severely deteriorated over the years. He said that some pipes are very clogged up and overdue replacement. Cars were observed carefully negotiating areas around the affected streets in Pulteneytown where fencing and traffic cones have been placed to highlight the ongoing work.

Wick and East Caithness councillor Willie Mackay said: “I perfectly understand the upheaval that the work is having on the streets and the residents in Wick but there comes a time when essential mains water pipes have to be replaced if not we could end up with unwanted water leaks and bursts.

"If some of the underground pipes are 100-years-old then it's good to see them being replaced by Scottish Water."

Wick's provost and fellow Highland councillor Janet McEwan said: "I know it has to be done but it seems to be taking such a long time to complete; meantime motorist and the public are having to put up with the roads which are in such an upheaval due to road closures/barriers etc which all adds to the terrible state of all the roads within the town of Wick and villages."

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.