The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has published a Lessons Learnt paper setting out its reflections from the gate two stage for strategic regional water resource solutions.

Strategic regional water resource solutions: lessons learnt from gate two follows on from the assessment of solutions submitted for gate two, which concluded in December 2023.

In July 2022 RAPID published lessons learnt from gate one and accelerated gate two. The regulators ( Ofwat, Environment Agency and DWI) said the completion of gate two has provided an opportunity to reflect on all aspects of the process and build on the experience being gaining as they move through the gates.

“We can analyse which approaches were successful, how actions measured up against expectations and where to focus more time and training to ensure continued improvement,” RAPID says.

The publication illustrates feedback from regulators, solution owners and external consultants alongside RAPID’s own internal review. The findings have been summarised into six themes:

1. Collaboration and engagement

2. The broader gated process

3. Alignment of regulator views

4. Alignment with company water resource management plans

5. Assessment and gate two submission processes

6. Regulatory and commercial engagement

Commenting on the broader gated process, the paper says there was mixed feedback about the overall gated process, stating:

“There was positive feedback that the RAPID programme provided a consistent and transparent process and that the solutions have progressed further than without the

development funding and gated process….

“On balance, there was also feedback from solution teams that questioned the value of the RAPID process as it diverts resources and time from developing projects. We have taken this feedback onboard in the publication of gate four guidance which streamlines the RAPID process to avoid duplication of work for statutory planning purposes.”

The paper also highlights that some supply side solutions in WRMPs are due to delivered earlier than the current RAPID solutions - the feedback says that these could benefit from being included in a RAPID programme to ensure effective oversight and consistent solution development.

“We agree with this statement and are in the process of assessing the suitability of projects to be included in the future RAPID programme,” RAPID says.

The paper also raises some interesting points about alignment between the RAPID regulators, saying there was mixed feedback on alignment of regulator views. Some of the solution teams found there was “less alignment between regulators than expected” and that while it was expected that RAPID would provide common positions on issues, “the decision-making responsibilities of the regulators was not always clear. “

RAPID says in response:

“We continue to collaborate as joint regulators recognising that the different regulators have different roles and statutory responsibilities. The diversity of roles is key in shaping the RAPID solutions to ensure best outcomes for customers and the environment.

“Where regulatory barriers are identified through the gated process, these will be addressed and steps made to resolve through the RAPID regulatory and commercial workstream. It was also mentioned that there could be benefit from widening the core regulator group to include other stakeholders….

“We are currently looking at widening stakeholder engagement to increase awareness of RAPID and involve more key stakeholders in the process “

RAPID now intends to build on the lessons learned from the experience to date to improve the future stages of the process and to tackle the policy issues revealed.

Click here to download the paper Strategic regional water resource solutions: lessons learnt from gate two