United Utilities is yet to make a decision on awarding contracts related to the massive £1.75 billion Haweswater Viaduct pipeline scheme, which is set to stretch from the Lake District to Lancashire and Greater Manchester. Meanwhile, local councillors in parts of Lancashire, where the pipeline will pass through, are eagerly awaiting a detailed economic assessment regarding its potential impact on local businesses and communities.
Last year, reports from engineering trade media suggested that companies based overseas could be considered for the Haweswater contracts shortlist, with firms from Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Canada and other countries being mentioned. Earlier this year, United Utilities announced a search for a technical adviser consultancy worth £50 million, using a 'competitive appointed provider' system overseen by the water industry regulator, Ofwat.
This arrangement aims to ensure cost-effectiveness and successful delivery of the colossal engineering and construction project. The eventual contract winner will act independently and owe a duty of care to all main organisations involved in the Haweswater project, including United Utilities and Ofwat.
The ambitious Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) represents the most extensive infrastructure project by United Utilities since the privatisation of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ water industry. It is set to span approximately eight years for its construction phase, though United Utilities is considering a contract that would require maintenance of the newly constructed water tunnels for a quarter of a century following their completion.
This substantial endeavour will see north-west households contributing financially through their water bills, which will in turn fund the contracts awarded for the project, reports .
Seeking an update on any decisions regarding the contracts, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reached out to United Utilities. A spokesperson from the company provided insight into the current status: "United Utilities is still undertaking the procurement processes to identify the competitively appointed provider and independent technical adviser for HARP. As such, at this time no contracts have been awarded. We will issue an update on this when they have."
The vast scope of the HARP initiative spreads across several council areas with the water tunnel system coursing through Lancaster, Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Rossendale and Bury – meaning different councils are involved in planning application procedures. Particularly, the Ribble Valley holds a stretch of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, laced with protective statuses similar to those of national parks like the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.
There are growing concerns that the rural Bowland area, including its villages and businesses such as wedding venues, pubs, restaurants, farms and shops, could be negatively impacted by the disruption caused by the Haweswater works. The fear is that the public may perceive the area as 'shut', difficult to access or visually unappealing.
The planned work includes strengthening rural roads, creating special HGV traffic routes from the A59 north of Clitheroe into the Bowland area, constructing a new crossing over the River Ribble and establishing work compounds in fields. Recently, Conservative councillor Kevin Horkin questioned Ribble Valley Council about whether it had conducted a detailed economic impact assessment of the Haweswater scheme in its area.
While an environmental assessment has been carried out, Coun Horkin was unsure about a comprehensive economic study. He was informed that the borough's planning committee expects to receive an economic impact report from council officers.
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