Andover Link Main: Otterbourne to Andover

We’re building new pipelines and pumping stations to be able to share water between Otterbourne supply works to Andover supply works to protect water supplies and the environment in a drought.

Latest Update

Update Autumn 2023

Since 2022, we have undertaken desk based and walk over surveys and investigations of potential pipeline routes.

In summer 2023, we have carried out several excavations at different locations along the two proposed pipeline routes. Some of these excavations are to explore the potential for buried archaeological remains.

Others are to enable us to investigate ground conditions and groundwater levels that will affect how we design and construct the proposed pipeline. As part of this work, you will still see small teams of people excavating in these areas. The land will be reinstated when the excavations are completed.

The information we gain from this work will help us to refine the proposed pipeline route, and our construction techniques. It will also enable us to assess the potential environmental effects associated with the construction and operation of the pipelines. This information has been used as part of a formal submission we will made to Winchester City Council and Test Valley Borough Council in Autumn 2023 to determine whether we need to complete an Environmental Impact Assessment of our proposals.

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The timeline

Here's a timeline of what we've done so far and how we plan to complete the project.

Autumn/winter 2022-23

We completed environmental, ecology and archaeological surveys.

Spring/summer 2023

We undertook site investigation works to check the ground conditions, and further environmental and archaeological surveys.

Summer 2023

We looked at all the data from the surveys to decide which is the best route for the new pipeline. We engaged with the relevant planning authorities and stakeholders to understand which consents we need.

Spring 2023 - summer 2024

We completed the final design for the pipelines, and submitted any required planning applications.

Autumn 2024 - spring 2025

This is the current expected timeframe for when we’ll start building the new pipelines, but it is dependent on planning requirements. We expect any work on service reservoirs to start slightly later. We currently expect the overall construction programme to take about 2-2.5 years to finish.