United Utilities is inviting people across the North West to comment on the second phase of a substantial multi million pound investment project to modernise the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, which carries water from Lake Vyrnwy in North Wales to Cheshire and Merseyside.
United Utilities is inviting people across the North West to comment on the second phase of a substantial investment project to modernise the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, which carries water from Lake Vyrnwy in North Wales to Cheshire and Merseyside.
The Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme is being undertaken by United Utilities to clean and re-line the three parallel pipelines which make up the aqueduct system, with work due to start next spring.
The pipelines are each 42 inches (over 1 metre) in diameter with a combined distance of 110km in length.
- Line 1 was constructed between 1881 and 1892 and is made of cast iron
- Line 2 was constructed between 1902 and 1905 and is made of cast iron
- Line 3 was constructed between 1926 and 1938 and is made of stainless steel
John Hilton, Programme Director at United Utilities, commented:
“The Vyrnwy Aqueduct is an incredible feat of engineering and a vital asset that helps ensure we can supply high quality drinking water to our customers.
“It was built by the Victorians in the 1890s, and now’s the time for our modern-day engineers to undertake the significant challenge of cleaning and re-lining the pipes through Cheshire and Merseyside to ensure this supply for future generations.”
The water company is anticipating the start of main construction in 2023 and will split the work into three sections. United Utilities has already refurbished 40% of the pipe and will now be completing the remaining length from Malpas through to Merseyside between now and 2028.
Earlier this year United Utilities announced that Avove has been appointed for the first phase of work on the pipelines between Malpas and Tarporley, with work also due to start on this section in spring 2023. Upgrades to water treatment works and refurbishment of the pipes which run south of Malpas have already been completed.
United Utilities said it is working with Local Authorities and stakeholders across Cheshire and Merseyside to obtain the relevant permissions for the work and engaging with the communities most affected by the proposals.
A virtual exhibition setting out the plans is now online where people, businesses and other organisations can provide their feedback on the plans for the second stage of the project from Tarporley to Norton.
Will Eyre, Programme Manager at United Utilities, explained:
“The virtual exhibition provides information on the why, how, where, and when of what we need to do on these pipelines. We hope that this online information, which includes maps and short videos, will help people appreciate the scale and challenges of this programme and will support us to make this project a success for everybody.
“The feedback process is an important step in engaging the communities in which we’ll be working through Delamere Forest in Cheshire, up to Runcorn in Halton, and will help to shape our final designs for the scheme. We encourage everyone to take a look and let us know their thoughts.”
Click here to access the online virtual exhibition
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