RAPID clears Fens Reservoir to continue development

The Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has cleared the Fens Reservoir scheme to proceed to gate three of the development process, following a conditional review point.

RAPID asked the solution team, formed of Anglian Water and Cambridge Water, to provide assurance this month that it could meet the September 2024 deadline for gate three requirements, particularly the environmental assessments. It indicated there would be flexibility in the timetable if it is needed.

In addition, the regulators asked for a report in May setting out the pathways the reservoir intends to progress to demonstrate compliance with the Water Framework and Habitats Directives. They also requested a working group involving Severn Trent Water and Affinity Water, alongside Anglian and Cambridge, be set up to explore optimising the system of interdependent schemes in the area – specifically the Grand Union Canal, Grafham Rede Pipeline and Cambridge Transfer Water Grid Sub Programme.