The Minister joined Dr Caroline Johnson (MP for Sleaford & North Hykeham) at Harmston for a visit that marked an important milestone for the region’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance. This was the halfway point in the 24km Lincoln – Ancaster section.
This is just one part of the project that will create hundreds upon kilometres of interconnecting pipes almost twice the length as the M6. The entire project, from Lincolnshire to Essex, will address the 30 million litres per day water shortage in the East of England by 2025.
Minister Pow visited the engineers on-site and also heard from beneficiaries to the Governments Kickstart scheme. This provides funding and employment for 16-24-year olds who are currently receiving Universal Credit.
Anglian Water has offered opportunities to 14 young people in this infrastructure project. There have been nine apprentices and five who were part of a Kickstarter program. Three of these individuals have been offered full-time employment.
The scheme is part Anglian Waters Water Resources Management Plan. It looks 25 years in the future to make East resilient to drought.
SPA will enable water to be moved in stages, from the north and south of North Lincolnshire. The new pipeline will increase local resilience as the population grows. It will reduce the number of homes or businesses that rely on one source of water.
The entire pipeline has been designed to leave the least carbon footprint as possible, in accordance with Anglian Waters promise to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.
Some sections of the pipeline are also designed to bypass sensitive ecological locations where environmental surveys have revealed protected species like bats, water voles and Great Crested Newts.
Minister said that he visited several environmental projects in the region and stated: The Strategic Pipeline Alliance project highlights innovation in improving our national water infrastructure. It is progressing well, and I was pleased to have a detailed discussion. This project will help to rebalance water availability in the region and benefit the community, while also protecting our precious natural environments.
James Crompton, Strategic Pipeline Alliance Director for Anglian Water said: The Strategic Pipeline Alliance is vital in addressing East of England’s predicted jaws of Death moment for water availability. This is the point at which the demand for water exceeds the supply. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to share with the Minister our vision of future water sustainability in the region.
As important as securing customer supplies, our commitment to the environment is equally important. This project will help us reach our targets of reducing water consumption by 84 million litres per day. But our infrastructure must also be sustainable.
Climate change is not just a threat to our ability to meet its challenges. It’s an opportunity to challenge the status quo and to do things differently, more efficiently, and for greater gain. This scheme is a great example of how we can do both for the long-term good of our region.
Dr Johnson, Sleaford MP added: I am pleased that the pipeline will increase water availability throughout Lincolnshire as well the wider East of England. I also enjoyed learning about how this important scheme is also protecting the natural environment.
