United Utilities reveals plans to modernise Vyrnwy Aqueduct between Tarporley and Norton and calls on people to have their say

People across the North West are being asked to give their thoughts on the second phase of a substantial investment project to modernise the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, which carries water from 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, with work due to start next spring. 

A virtual exhibition is now online at https://uuhub.co.uk/vyrnwy/tarporley-to-norton/ where people, businesses and other organisations can provide their feedback on the plans for the second stage of the project from Tarporley to Norton.

John Hilton, Programme Director at United Utilities, said: “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.”

Will Eyre, Programme Manager at United Utilities, added: “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.”

The virtual exhibition website can be accessed via mobile device and computer, and PDFs of the documents can also be downloaded. Anyone who requires hard copies can request them by emailing feedback@consultation-online.co.uk or by calling 0800 298 7040.

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.