The 110km Haweswater Aqueduct will be upgraded.
Earlier this year, in January, STRABAG and Equitix were named the preferred bidders for the design and construction role. The confirmation of the contract marks the official launch of one of the largest water infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom.
STRABAG CEO Stefan Kratochwill commented: “Expanding our presence in the UK and investing in critical water infrastructure is a clear step in delivering on our Strategy 2030. With HARP, we are not only contributing to the long-term resilience of critical infrastructure but also strengthening our market position in the UK.”
The Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme is designed to secure the long-term drinking water supply for 2.5 million residents across Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. The initiative focuses on upgrading the 110 km Haweswater Aqueduct, originally constructed between 1933 and 1955, which has transported water from the Lake District to Greater Manchester for decades.
The project will involve replacing six tunnel sections of the existing aqueduct. It is structured as a long-term contract with a duration of 25 years. STRABAG UK will lead the design and construction phase, which is expected to take approximately nine years.
United Utilities CEO Louise Beardmore emphasized the importance of the programme: “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.”
The programme represents both a major investment in critical water infrastructure and an opportunity for job creation across the region. With its long-term structure and focus on resilience, it reflects United Utilities’ strategy to strengthen water supply networks and ensure sustainable service for communities.
Separately, STRABAG has also been active in other European infrastructure projects. Earlier this month, its subsidiary ZÜBLIN began work on redeveloping the Arne Jacobsen Haus in Hamburg. The historic building, which once served as the headquarters of the city’s electricity board, is being refurbished with ZÜBLIN acting as general contractor on behalf of AJH following the planning stage.
Overall, the confirmation of HARP underlines STRABAG’s growing role in the UK infrastructure sector, while also contributing to United Utilities’ long-term commitment to reliable water supply for millions of people in northwest England.
