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Cascade Infrastructure, led by Austrian contractor Strabag, has been signed to design, build and finance United Utilities’ Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) update.

Strabag UK has the design and construction contract. Turner & Townsend has been appointed as independent technical adviser. 

Construction is scheduled to start in 2026 and will see six tunnel sections replaced.  The build phase is planned to run over nine years, followed by a further 25 years of maintenance.

Unlike the original aqueduct, which was constructed using hand digging and blasting techniques, the new pipeline will be constructed using tunnel boring machines. The machinery means that each section of pipeline is standardised. This has enabled the length of the lining rings to be increased, which reduces the total number of rings needed by 3,000, which in turn eliminates 3,000 HGV deliveries.

HARP has been described as one of the largest infrastructure projects ever seen in Britain.

The Haweswater aqueduct carries water from Cumbria to 2.5 million customers in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.  The original 110km pipeline was built between 1933 and 1955, when it was considered a major feat of engineering. It uses gravity to carry 570 million litres of water every day.

The estimated cost of its refurbishment is £3bn. The programme is the first in the water sector to be delivered through a direct procurement for customers. Cascade Infrastructure will cover the design, construction, maintenance and financing of the scheme.

Cascade Infrastructure is a consortium of Strabag Equitix and GLIL Infrastructure. GLIL is an infrastructure investment company established in 2015 by Greater Manchester Pension Fund and the London Pensions Fund Authority.

Strabag Equitix Consortium had previously been named preferred contractor by United Utilities back in January. 

Cascade Infrastructure chief executive is Simon Green, a managing director in the Equitix investments team. He said: “Reaching financial close on HARP marks the beginning of a transformative journey that will deliver vital infrastructure improvements throughout the northwest, and importantly, deliver infrastructure fit for the future. This achievement is the result of exceptional collaboration, commitment, and hard work from all our partners involved, combining deep expertise and a shared vision for long-term success. Beyond infrastructure, the project will create jobs, support skills development, and bring lasting economic and social value to the region. We’re proud to be part of this ambitious programme and excited to begin delivery – working together to build a resilient, sustainable future together.”

Strabag UK managing director Simon Wild said: “The award of the HARP design and construction contract to Strabag UK recognises the capability and depth of competence we have built up over the past years. We will deliver this critical national infrastructure focussing always on best value, working closely with local communities and creating high quality opportunities for skills development and long-term employment in the North of England. We are immensely proud of the way our teams have collaborated to achieve financial close and look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come on such a significant project.”

United Utilities chief executive Louise Beardmore said: “Today marks a significant step to ensure we have the right infrastructure to provide a resilient water supply to communities right across the region for decades to come and, at the same time, creating hundreds of great quality jobs and delivering on the commitments and promises we have set out.”

Water minister Emma Hardy said: “We are rebuilding the water network from the ground up through one of the largest infrastructure projects ever seen in Britain. In a new era of partnership between government and industry, we are upgrading pipes, tackling sewage spills and safeguarding water security so communities can once again take pride in their rivers, lakes and seas. Investments in projects like the Haweswater Aqueduct will be essential in this effort to secure clean water for future generations.”

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