Ground tests and site investigations for two river crossings are being undertaken this spring for a major water tunnel planned in the Ribble Valley.
The activity, along a road linking Clitheroe and the Forest of Bowland, is linked to the huge HARP scheme by United Utilities. A new Ribble Valley Council planning update details how it will replace sections of a 110km pipeline from the Lake District to Greater Manchester.
Some sections will pass through other Lancashire districts of Lancaster, Hyndburn and Rossendale. And the scheme could last six or seven years.
The tunnel scheme has prompted strong debate and objections from some councillors and residents. And people are being appointed to liaise with local communities, the council report adds.
When construction work starts fully in the Ribble Valley, tunnel workers and vehicles are to gather at a Clitheroe marshalling yard near the A59 then travel north on existing roads and some new access tracks and river crossings.
Forest of Bowland view north on Slaidburn Road towards the River Hodder valley and Newton in Bowland
But before that begins, ground investigation works are happening this month and April on or near two sections of the B6478 road, north of Clitheroe towards Newton on Bowland.
One area of ground tests is along the high section of the B6478 Slaidburn Road north of Waddington, near Waddington Fell Quarry. And other investigation work is further north around Hallgate Hill, near Newton in Bowland. That involves tests on private farmland west of the road, near the River Hodder.
The Ribble Valley Council update says no road closures are needed on the B6478. But temporary traffic lights will be used in places around Waddington Fell, for one or two days at each test location.
In other HARP activity, the report says various land surveys have been completed, utility surveys were started recently and trial holes near bridges are due this month.
It also says ecological surveys are ongoing and archaeological reports for proposed river crossings at the Ribble and Hodder, and access roads, are complete. The river crossings are needed to help construction vehicles reach some locations.
The village of Newton in Bowland -Credit:Robbie MacDonald LDRS
Cascade Infrastructure, linked to tunnel schemes in Europe, has been appointed by United Utilities to design, build, maintain and finance the HARP scheme, which has an estimated construction cost of £3billion. Cascade includes Vienna-based construction firm Strabag and other partners.
In various meetings over the past year or two, Ribble Valley councillors have called for good communications between United Utilities, contractors, residents and local authorities during the work. Lancashire County Council is another authority involved, regarding roads.
On communicating with residents, the update says: “Cascade Infrastructure and Strabag UK have begun the process of addressing requirements for a community liaison officer. They have appointed a senior engagement manager and community liaison officer. And a meeting with be held with council officers to begin the community engagement process.”
Ribble Valley Council’s May 2025 planning meeting where the United Utilities plan for a Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) heavy lorry marshalling yard near Clitheroe was discussed -Credit:LDRS Robbie MacDonald
Finally, a number of planning applications are expected to be submitted soon, the report adds. These will be mainly for the rivers Ribble and Hodder crossing sites for vegetation clearance, the phasing of work, archaeological reports and site layout.
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