United Utilities VAMP Update
As we near the end of 2023, we are writing to provide a final update for the year and to share our thanks for all of the help, support and engagement you have provided over the last 12 months – Attached is a virtual Christmas card from the team to share our thanks and best wishes for a very merry Christmas, along with a happy new year.
Before we close out the year, we wanted to reflect on some of the amazing achievements so far on the Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme (Malpas to Tarporley Section), in addition to providing a short update as to what our upcoming programme of work will be as we head into 2024.
Vyrnwy Aqueduct Modernisation Programme – 2023 Highlights:
Enabling Works Main works
- Over 30 Haul roads installed since October 2022 involving the construction of new working areas.
- Over 10 access points off the highway installed or amended to accommodate machinery and equipment.
- Over 20 planning application submitted and approved within Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) and Cheshire East local authorities.
- Multitudes of environmental and ecological surveys completed in multiple phases.
Main Works (Cleaning)
- Over 18 kilometres of Line 3 of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct cleaned using a technique known as 'air pigging', achieving the status of the world's first aqueduct of 42" diameter of this length to be cleaned using the technique.
- Cleaning phase of work throughout Malpas to Tarporley completed in late 2022, passing through 5 Ward councils and 13 Parish councils while completing this work.
Main works (Lining)
- Approaching 3 kilometres of re-lining along Line 1 of the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, between Malpas and Bickerton, involving the insertion of a new slightly smaller diameter pipe into the existing aqueduct.
- Brand new pipe delivered to over 10 working areas between Malpas and Bickerton, delivering 600 sections of new pipe ready to be welded and inserted into the aqueduct.
Community engagement
- Engagement with 5 ward councils over the last 12 months, in addition to close liaison with 2 local authorities and 15 Parish Councils in close proximity to impacted areas.
- Production of monthly stakeholder updates providing insight into activity within month, along with projected dates for construction works within each area and regular updates to the 'Malpas to Tarporley' virtual exhibition webpage https://uuhub.co.uk/vyrnwy/malpas-to-tarporley/
- 6 community drop in sessions held pre-construction in advance of each phase of work, with additional future sessions planned.
- Development of a strong community strategy ongoing, with aims of supporting the communities affected by our work – We will be liasing again with Parish councils again in 2024 as our strategy develops to identify and assess opportunities.
As for our future work in 2024, we have provided an updated Area Construction Programme below.
*Close liaison with any areas impacted will continue early in 2024 in advance of work commencing.
Should you have any immediate questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team at the following address: uu.vampstakeholderrelations@uuplc.co.uk, and we will get back to you shortly.
Best wishes from the VAMP Stakeholder Team!
Kind regards,
Harry Caton
Assistant Project Coordinator
Network and Capital Delivery
unitedutilities.com