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Message last updated - Thursday 19th September 2024
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Message last updated - Thursday 19th September 2024
Message last updated - Thursday 19th September 2024
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We’re building a new 69KM pipeline between Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.
Click here to see a map of the route
It is the most southernly section of our new drinking water network, which will increase reliability and reduce the number of homes and businesses in the East of England, which currently rely on a single source of water.
It is part of Anglian Water’s Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) which looks 25 years ahead to manage and secure the water resources by safe-guarding against the potential future impacts of water scarcity, climate change and growth, while protecting the environment.
The new pipelines will also increase reliability of water supply for homes and businesses and reduce risks of drought.
Phase of work | Types of activity | Approximate timetable |
---|---|---|
Planning Application |
We submitted our full planning application and Environmental Statement (ES) to the planning authorities along the route in December 2022. |
We now have planning permission for the full 69km section of the Bury St Edmunds to Colchester pipeline route. |
Enabling works |
Works needed prior to the start of construction, such as wildlife protection and limited vegetation removal. |
Winter 2023 until spring 2024 |
Construction |
Digging trenches, laying pipes and refilling them once the pipe has been installed. |
Spring 2024 to winter 2024 |
Commissioning |
Testing of the pipeline prior to becoming operational |
Starting in 2024 |
Reinstatement |
Returning land to its original state where we can and with additional improvements in some areas. |
Starting in 2024 |
Planning Application
We submitted our full planning application and Environmental Statement (ES) to the planning authorities along the route in December 2022.
We now have planning permission for the full 69km section of the Bury St Edmunds to Colchester pipeline route.
Enabling works
Works needed prior to the start of construction, such as wildlife protection and limited vegetation removal.
Winter 2023 until spring 2024
Construction
Digging trenches, laying pipes and refilling them once the pipe has been installed.
Spring 2024 to winter 2024
Commissioning
Testing of the pipeline prior to becoming operational
Starting in 2024
Reinstatement
Returning land to its original state where we can and with additional improvements in some areas.
Starting in 2024
What is happening now?
We have been granted planning permission by West Suffolk Council, Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council and Colchester City Council. We now have planning permssion for the full 69km section of the Bury St Edmunds to Colchester pipeline route.
We continue to conduct our archaeology excavations onsite. In the coming weeks we will begin enabling works, in preparation for us to start pipelaying in early 2024.
Alongside our pipelaying works, we plan to construct above ground infrastructure at Raydon Water and Rushbrooke Water Treatment Works, Wherstead Water Reservoir, Little Saxham Water Reservoir, Little Whelnetham, Nedging Tye Water Reservoir, Hadleigh Water Reservoir and Great Horkesley.
What has happened before now?
In December 2022, we submitted our full planning application and Environmental Statement (ES) to the planning authorities along the route. You can review our planning application here: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council, West Suffolk Council and Colchester City Council.
Prior to submitting our planning application, we submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping report in December 2021, asking the local authorities what information should be included within our Environmental Statement (ES).
The EIA is part of the ES process, which is used to help protect the environment by providing local planning authorities and statutory consultees with a detailed evaluation of our proposed route and what effects the pipeline will have on the environment.
To finalise our pipeline route, we used using feedback and comments collected through our scoping exercise and our online community engagement events (hosted from Monday 20 June until Monday 4 July 2022).
Our work
We will work hard to keep the impact on communities along the route, and the environment, to a minimum.
Construction work will follow good industry practice using tried and tested techniques. The most commonly used method to lay a pipe is the use of open cut trenches. Where we particularly need to minimise disruption, such as by main roads, rivers, significant drainage, water ditches and railways, we will use trenchless techniques.
If you have and questions, please email strategicpipelines@anglianwater.co.uk.
Traffic Management
As with any construction project of this scale, there will be temporary road closures in some areas and a certain amount of disruption. We intend to control this as best as we can by communicating with residents in advance and having timed deliveries and parking on-site for staff and visitors. Please be assured that the project team will be doing all they can to minimise any disruption to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)