By Harry Mottram: Consultations for constructing Cheddar Reservoir 2 will begin later this year with a planning application expected in 2027 with the aim to complete the project around 2030. The Environment Minister Steve Reed MP announced that following a comprehensive report from the Environment Agency Britain needed a huge increase in water infrastructure due to a growing population and demand for clean water. It will mean nine new reservoirs – with two in Somerset – one in a disused quarry in the Mendips and Cheddar Reservoir 2 being the other. By 2055 the country will need an added five billion litres of water a day so there is an element of urgency in making the nation water resilient.
Consultations on Cheddar Reservoir 2 begin later this year following initial survey work – already underway – with a planning application in 2027 and work beginning later that year if it is approved. The site is still likely to be south of the current one built in the 1930s due to the geology of the valley and the fact it is an area of farm land with no major development that would need to be cleared. Back in 2013 Bristol Water published similar plans which showed the new reservoir being a pear-shaped body of water similar in size to the old one with only a narrow gap between the two. It was proposed to be deeper so it could hold more water and to have better access for wild life with potentially a floating island as well as facilities for swimming and water sports. That was then – so no doubt things will have changed but one thing that will remain a constant is access for heavy plant to dig out the ground and to take out miles of hedges and hundreds of mature trees. Add to that a likely need for a temporary access road up the valley from the A38 (similar to the one for the pylons across the Mendips) and it is easy to see the massive undertaking the project holds.
Somerset County Gazette reporter Daniel Mumby noted this month: “The Cheddar Two reservoir, which will be fed by the River Axe and Cheddar Yeo, is expected to provide between 13 and 20 million litres of drinking water a day by 2035 – enough to meet the daily needs of around 100,000 people. The other reservoir, expected to be operational by 2040, will be created out of a disused quarry in the Mendip Hills and fed by the River Avon downstream of Bath.”
South West Water who own Cheddar Reservoir having acquired Bristol Water previously said in a statement: ““As part of our 2025-2030 business plan, we’re resurrecting plans for the Cheddar Two reservoir, which will benefit customers across the Greater South West. We are currently in the early stages of planning and are carrying out surveys to inform the design of the scheme. We will be sharing updates on our plans over the coming months.”
On their website they state: “As the project develops, we will be working closely with local communities and landowners to address any potential concerns they may have. Households and landowners neighbouring the proposed reservoir site and the potential pipeline will be contacted and asked to complete a Land Information Questionnaire to establish who has land or property interests in the area. We will be contacting anyone that will be directly affected by this project so that we can understand their concerns and address those wherever possible. We will also be holding open days so people can talk to us about the project.”
Previous articles on the project including on the building of the first Cheddar Reservoir on the eve of World War 2 are here:
Axbridge Review is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
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