RAPID allows more time for the North West Transfer scheme

The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has agreed to a request from United Utilities to delay the RAPID gate three date for the North West Transfer strategic resource option scheme, from March 2025 to December 2026.

The extra time will allow for:

• A feasibility assessment of the now proposed preferred option for a 25Ml/d trade with Severn Trent – River Bollin abstraction.

• Additional activities related to the procurement approach for the now proposed preferred option. 

• Work to be carried out so that if an adaptive pathway for the Severn to Thames Transfer is triggered in AMP8, a potential requirement to deliver up to a 180 Ml/d transfer can be included.

The North West Transfer scheme involves the development of new water sources to offset water made available for transfer.