SPA, comprising leading partners Costain, Farrans, Jacobs, and Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB), is set to deliver an additional 260 kilometres of new, interconnecting pipeline that branches into new areas in the East of England, taking the total length of the strategic pipeline to 580 kilometres. This will enable the crucial transfer of water from ‘wetter’ parts of the Anglian region in North Lincolnshire to ‘drier’ parts, including Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. 

The East of England is one of the driest regions in the country, with only two-thirds of England’s average rainfall. It is also one of the fastest growing, with potential population growth of one million people by 2045. Together, these challenges make the Anglian Water region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including drought and flooding. 

This forms part of Anglian Water’s wider programme of work worth £11bn – its largest ever and almost double that of the previous five-year period. By the end of the decade, Anglian will have completed its main strategic water grid and be ready to begin construction on two new reservoirs for the region – both of which will create jobs and bolster the local economy, helping the region to thrive. 

Jason Tucker, Director of Commercial Operations at Anglian Water, said: “As we head into the next five years, which will see us deliver our biggest ever investment programme, our alliancing model continues to be an exemplar in the infrastructure industry, crucial to our success and meeting the demands of a growing population and climate change. I’d like to thank our partners for their ongoing commitment to the strategic pipeline and interconnector programme as we embark on this tremendous next phase.” 

The interconnector programme will play a vital role in safeguarding the environment by reducing reliance on water abstraction from sensitive areas, including chalk streams, to create sustainable water supply for generations. 

 

Andy Alder, Managing Director of Major Infrastructure Delivery at Anglian Water, said: “The Strategic Pipeline Alliance has delivered over 200 kilometres of pipeline since its inception in 2020. This is a monumental project, and the team should be incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, as well as what we will continue to achieve in the next five years following the agreement signed today. Thank you to everyone involved.” 

Sam White, Managing Director, Natural Resources at Costain, said: “Anglian Water and the Strategic Pipeline Alliance have adopted and embraced a collaborative approach that has proven to be a breeding ground for innovation and efficiency on this complex but critical project.  

“Alliancing models such as these are an excellent way of incentivising the entire supply chain to pull in the same direction for a common goal, creating a positive culture, upskilling workforces and adopting production thinking techniques that drive efficiency. We look forward to delivering new drought-busting pipelines that will improve the region’s resilience as it faces the twin threats of climate change and a growing population.” 

Ryan Rogan, Contracts Manager at Farrans, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our work on Anglian Water's Strategic Pipeline Alliance, delivering critical infrastructure which will drive sustainability and resilience in the water network in this region of England. Our experience in this sector and our relationships with local supply chain mean that we are well placed to take on this next phase of work. We look forward to engaging with local stakeholders as the project progresses." 

Keith Lawson, Executive Vice President at Jacobs, said: “We are extremely proud to have been part of the Strategic Pipeline Alliance since its inception in 2020, and even prouder to continue to help deliver safe, sustainable infrastructure in the Anglian region through the next interconnector programme. 

“Collaboration is one of our key strategic business imperatives, and the alliancing model has been a perfect exemplification of this, working closely with our partners to deliver a strategic water supply programme for East Anglia and the U.K.” 

Colin Wilkinson, Programme Area Manager at MMB, said: "MMB is proud to be a part of the Strategic Pipeline Alliance. We're working closely with our fellow partners and supply chain as an integrated delivery team to help Anglian Water deliver this significant interconnector programme that will leave a lasting legacy for the region."  

The project is leaving more than pipes behind, too. SPA has donated more than 2,500 books to primary schools and is proactively working with children on literacy development, planted thousands of trees to boost biodiversity, built special 'commuter' fences to help bats with their navigation and donated life-saving defibrillators to communities.