[A-List] UK state: strategy of tension

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

So there it is -- without as much as a whimper from the Scottish Parliament,
Executive, or whatever.

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Scottish Water ordered to fence off reservoir
IAIN WILSON
The Herald, 16 January 2003

SCOTTISH Water yesterday received a Home Office order to fence off a
reservoir which supplies hundreds of thousands of people in the Glasgow
area.

The instruction, which must be complied with as a matter of national
security, was issued because of MI5 fears that Mugdock reservoir in
Milngavie could be a target for contamination by terrorists.

Scottish Water declined to give details of the work or costs, arguing it was
unable to comment on matters of national security, but Professor Alan
Alexander, Scottish Water chairman, said: "The Home Office today directed
Scottish Water to undertake certain works and we will act accordingly."

The Herald revealed on Monday that Mugdock, a popular beauty spot, will be
completely surrounded by a fence at least three metres high. In addition,
the walkway which splits the reservoir in two will also be sealed from the
public.

The order follows security services' concerns that Mugdock's Victorian
treatment works lack suitable filtration against chemical, biological, or
radiological agents, although the volume of water is such that huge amounts
would have to be released to do serious damage.

Plans to build a £100m treatment plant on the landscaped site remain at
least three years away, and continue to be dogged by opposition.