The scheme involves replacement of six tunnel sections – approximately 50km – of the 110km pipeline that carries drinking water from Haweswater in Cumbria to Greater Manchester. It also includes connections to existing multiline siphons between the tunnel sections and associated facilities.
The project will use a competitively appointed provider (CAP), which is currently being procured using Ofwat’s new direct procurement for customers (DPC) approach. Under the DPC, Ofwat requires the appointment of a consultant to protect customers in relation to the project.
The £50m technical adviser role will ensure objective, independent oversight of costs that may be passed on to customers and provide robust scrutiny and assessment of the CAP’s management of project costs and delivery. The adviser will act as an independent party to United Utilities, the CAP, and Ofwat.
For more information click here. Bids close at midday on June 7.
In November 2022, United Utilities shortlisted three consortia for the design, build, finance and maintenance contract, which includes construction work for bridges, tunnels, shafts and subways, and tunnelling works. The shortlist comprises HARP Community Connectors – Acciona, Dragados and Iridium; More Water – FCC Construcción, SNC-Lavalin, FCC Aqualia, Webuild and BeMo Tunnelling; and Strabag Equitix Consortium – Equitix and Strabag.
