A POPULAR East Renfrewshire park will reopen this week after a multi-million pound project to improve the sewer network was completed.

Scottish Water has confirmed that visitors will be able to return to Busby Glen Park, in Giffnock, from Friday.

Some areas near the main gates have been newly seeded, so signs will be in place to help protect those areas and ensure the grass becomes established.

Once fully operational, the new infrastructure installed at the park will help to reduce the risk of sewer flooding and provide environmental improvements.

Georgina Reid, Scottish Water's corporate affairs manager in the west region, told the Barrhead News: “We are so pleased that the park can now be handed back to the local community – and in time for the October school holidays.

“We are very sorry for the length of time it has taken to deliver this project. People have been denied access to their park for such a long time. We do recognise the impact this has had on people’s access to green spaces during a difficult time for all.

“Once again, we thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

Scottish Water has said that, due to the nature of the construction site and the essential maintenance required to make the wider area safe for public use, it was necessary to keep the park closed for health and safety reasons.

A community drop-in session will take place on Friday, between 2pm and 5pm, with a marquee located near the park's main gates to allow people to speak to the project team.

A full package of reinstatement plans was agreed with East Renfrewshire Council following inspections of the park.

This included the maintenance of more than a mile of footpaths within the park and Scottish Water will also repaint the playpark for local children to enjoy.

Scottish Water has committed to contributing to additional enhancements in the park for the benefit of the community. Details on how best to move this forward are being finalised and will be announced in due course.

Ms Reid added: “While there is still some work required – installation of power, testing, commissioning and minor reinstatement – we would like to reassure members of the public this will not require any further closure of the park.”