Nairn River Community Council have been involved in opposing the Lochloy Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) since first approached by Scottish Water (SW). NRCC submitted SW with alternative proposals at a location adjacent to the River Nairn that SW have never satisfactorily explained to the CC as to why they found our proposals unacceptable. The solution submitted would mean there would be no disruption to the A96 trunk road through the Town. The volume of sewage in question is negligible and would only be apparent on very few days in the year when very heavy rainfall occurred. The overflow is a small percentage of the total volume, the main volume transfers into the main sewer under Lochloy Road. The overflow could therefore be treated anywhere along its length towards the river, most sensibly near the main sewer at the Merryton Bridge. SW is not listening to their most important customers – The People of Scotland.
The CSO project will not prevent any flooding in the area or the wider Community. The project is to redirect a tiny amount of sewage.
The Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) receives sewage discharges from Broadhill, Boath Park, and the 8-10 houses at Boath Terrace. – approx. 3% of Nairn’s total housing.
Traffic chaos on the A96 Trunk – the only trunk road from Inverness to Aberdeen serving the entire Moray East coast. This traffic chaos will not only impact the Nairn Community it will impact the whole A96.
No Traffic Management Plan provided to Amey or Transport Scotland or available to the public as of noon, 1 September 2026.
Significant new movement of oversized loads associated with renewable energies from Aventus along A96 Eastwards
Significant move of HGVs – including flatbeds, pulp wood lorries and domestic / industrial deliveries
Stephen Flynn’s recent press announcement recognising the severe traffic congestion and the SG’s intention for a Bypass from 2029/30.
Increasing air pollution affecting local school children and residents because of the traffic congestion all through the A96 route In Nairn
Water and Sewer and other SW issues in Nairn: The main outfall from the treatment works is broken and has been for some years – SW engineers cannot find a way to repair it. Seafield Road CSO into the sea is broken and has been for some years. The Altonburn CSO into the sea is broken and has been for some years. The Merryton bridge over the river is closed as has been declared, through lack if maintenance by SW, to be dangerous and requires major investment to repair. Lack of fresh water pressure in several areas of Nairn. SW
The red circle below covers two ‘manholes’ or CSO tanks. One carries 70% of Nairn waste the other approx 3%. The overflow from the 3% tank currently flows to the River. The amount of overflow is normally negligible on a very wet downpour day it can increase slightly to less than 0.0001% of Nairn waste
SW are hosting a information dropin in the Seamans hall on 3/9/2026 4pm to 7pm – go along and ask questions – however they will only tell you what they intend to do. SW does not need any permission to work on their infrastructure and will only release to the public what they want us to hear.
Nairn River Community Council 