THE first pipes at West Dunbartonshire Council’s high-tech district heating network have been laid.

Preparatory work at the site began in November, with the first pipes going in this month.

The innovative system will see water taken from the Clyde, before being heated and transferred through a network of pipes to homes and businesses at the Queens Quay Development in Clydebank.

The ambitious £15million project, part of the redevelopment of the former John Brown’s Shipyard, will have the capability to heat a number of public buildings including Clydebank Leisure Centre, the new Queens Quay care home and health centre.

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The Town Hall and Clydebank Library will be heated by the system which also has the potential to be extended to heat West College Scotland and the Golden Jubilee Hospital.

Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, said: “Work is progressing well on site, and it’s great to see.

“It is really quite something to think that water taken from a natural source can be used to heat all these different homes and businesses, and will not only bring huge environmental benefits, but financial ones too.

“These pipes symbolise our investment in the area’s future and there is such potential for expansion even beyond the initial plans.”

Councillor Marie McNair, vice convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, added: “West Dunbartonshire Council is leading the way with this project and our residents, businesses and the environment will reap the rewards for years to come.

“This is an exciting time for Clydebank with so much progress being made at Queens Quay, and I can’t wait to see how it changes the area for the better.”