A resident has spoken out about how destroying a 150-year-old structure will "erase the area's history" in Barrhead.

Colin Cliff has reacted to the council deciding not to save the remains of a large sandstone waterworks system, which was found on a site where new houses are being constructed.

We previously reported how archaeology teams investigated the circular piece of architecture which was unearthed during a £22.68m project near Aurs Road.

Colin and his neighbour Emma spoke out before in an attempt to save the piece of historyColin and his neighbour Emma spoke out before in an attempt to save the piece of history (Image: Newsquest)

However, East Renfrewshire Council has confirmed it will not be retained as “the structures are of fairly recent construction.”

Colin, 44, who lives near the structure, said: “It is a shame but not a surprise that the council are not going to save it, they want to focus on the road they are building.

“It is such an impressive feature with the hand-chiselled sandstone, it is sad we don’t see the value in retaining history like this.

“It feels cheap to value it as not old enough, it would have been an engineering feat for the time it was created.

“I hope the materials that were used to create the wall are at least saved or used, I would hate to see them end up in a landfill.

“Destroying the structure feels like erasing the story of the area."

The remains of a large sandstone water works were found on a site where new houses are being constructed.The remains of a large sandstone water works were found on a site where new houses are being constructed. (Image: Newsquest)

An East Renfrewshire Council report concluded the structures “do not meet the usual criteria to require preservation in situ at all costs.”

Officials added delays to the upgrade of Aurs Road, which has been closed since January and was set to reopen by the end of December, are expected to “extend the length of the construction period and delay the opening of the new road”.

The report adds there have been “delays in relation to movement of existing utility provisions, areas where ground conditions are not as anticipated, the need to remove the water works structures, as well as minor delays due to weather conditions resulting from significant rainfall during the construction period.”

A revised timetable will be set after further work to “understand the impact these factors will have on the programme” has been completed.

The report also provides updates on projects in the area receiving money from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, a £1bn infrastructure programme funded by the UK and Scottish governments.

A £44m package of work is being carried out in East Renfrewshire, with £38m from governments and £6m from the council.

Projects yet to be completed include the Aurs Road project, a new rail station at Barrhead South, and public visitor facilities.

East Renfrewshire Council has been contacted for comment.