By Harry Mottram: Residents will have received a leaflet from West Country Water and the Environment (WCWE) about Cheddar Reservoir 2 and the Transfer Project. It outlines why the reservoir is needed, explains the pipeline which is a major development and the consultation dates including the one in Axbridge.
Make no mistake this is a huge project on the same scale as building Hinkley Point C’s pylon infrastructure or going back a bit the construction of the M5. Banwell’s bypass is slowly taking shape and if you pass the works there you can see how the project has a large office and accommodation area plus car park for the workers and massive earth moving plant laying out the road around the village. Cheddar Reservoir 2 will be far larger and will also feature a new water treatment works. The pipeline indicated on the map on WCWE’s leaflet will see construction work continuing for years since it links the reservoir to Devon with new reservoirs and treatment works across the two counties.
West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) is the umbrella group for water utilities in the South West which includes Bristol Water. The public consultations are billed as a drop-in session on Friday 19 September in Axbridge Town Hall from 4-8pm. Other dates include Saturday 13 September at noon in Cheddar Village Hall and at Cross Memorial Hall on Tuesday 16 September at 4pm – if you are keen then the first one is in North Petherton on Friday 12 September at 4pm in the community centre – the pipeline will go via the village.
Some of the questions about Cheddar Reservoir 2 will include the following:
How will the heavy plant and diggers access the site – and will there be a temporary road from the A38 built – as happened with the pylons across the Mendip gap from Hinkley?
Where will the new treatment centre go – next to the existing one or down on the moor and where will the works compound be located?
How will the dust and noise be mitigated – and will the public be able to view the work as it continues from the current reservoir?
Hundreds of trees and miles of hedges will be taken out – will there be a chance to save any of them by replanting some of them?
Wildlife will be destroyed as a result of the work as deer, foxes, badgers and many other species live down on the moor – are there plans to mitigate the loss of habitat?
Will WCWE provide funding for local projects through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106 (S106) agreements? Ideas include buying the Axe Vales Arts Centre for the town; building a community centre like the one they have in Shipham; finally improving Cross Lane for pedestrians! I’m sure there are many others.
How many jobs will be created for local people and will local firms be able to apply for contract work?
These are just some of the questions that may be asked at the drop in sessions – and I’m sure there are many I’ve not thought of. England is a very different place from that of the 1930s when projects like this would not have had the same level of consultation before going ahead – it is also an opportunity.
Back in 2014 when Bristol Water put forward their plans for Cheddar Reservoir 2 there were a number of questions that were raised other than the obvious ones. There was a local story that during World War One horses kept on land near the current reservoir ready for transportation to the war in France contracted anthrax. Their carcases were buried in a field there. In 2014 Bristol Water said tests were carried out and there was no sign of the deadly disease (which can remain toxic for decades if buried). Hopefully that story will again be disproved. Inevitably there will be some form of archaeology unearthed on the moor – and again it is hoped anything that is found such as neolithic or early medieval activity is preserved and given to the town’s museum.
Writing for the New Civil Engineer website and magazine Rob Hakimian in July noted: “South West Water has issued a notification to the market of its intention to procure a development partner for its Cheddar 2 reservoir in a deal worth £1bn. The procurement will be for a Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP) to deliver the Cheddar 2 Reservoir project under the UK’s Direct Procurement for Customers (DPC) model. The water utility’s announcement forms part of broader initiatives by the West Country Water and Environment Group (WCWE), which also includes a separate project led by Wessex Water. The Cheddar 2 Reservoir will be a major infrastructure undertaking featuring a new earth embankment reservoir adjacent to the existing Cheddar Reservoir, with a usable capacity of 8,200Ml. The project scope extends beyond the reservoir itself to include a raw water transfer system feeding a new water treatment works, alongside an extensive potable water pipeline stretching approximately 75km. This pipeline will connect South West Water’s Bristol area supply to customers in Devon, representing a significant enhancement to regional water infrastructure.
“The estimated capital cost of the project is around £750M, excluding VAT, with total projected expenditure including operation and maintenance costs reaching approximately £1bn. The contract duration is anticipated to span 25 years, from July 2029 to July 2054, underscoring the long-term commitment to both construction and operational excellence.
“South West Water emphasises that this notice is not a call for competition but a strategic move to engage with potential investors and contractors early in the process. To facilitate this, the company is organising a comprehensive programme of market engagement aimed at fostering collaboration and refining project delivery and commercial frameworks. This will kick off with an industry briefing and launch event planned for 9 September in central London.”
A reminder that the Pennon Group in Devon own South West Water who in turn acquired Bristol Water.
The existing Cheddar Reservoir was constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine in the 1930s for Bristol Water and completed just weeks before the outbreak of war in 1939.
Calendar of events in Axbridge
Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at www.harrymottram.co.uk and hopefully we can sort out a permanent calendar for the town soon.
Sat 30 Aug. Axbridge. Lamb Inn. Weston Ukulele Players. Cider Shed. 9pm. Free – proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospice South West.
Sun 31 Aug. Axbridge. Lamb inn. Pub quiz. 8pm.
Sat 6 Sep. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Sat 6 Sep. Axbridge Square. Coin collection – unwanted foreign coins being collected in aid of Friends of Axbridge Church as well as fashion jewellery (donated) & coffee & cake in the Town Hall during the market. From 10am.
Sat 6 Sep. Tessa Munt MP Wells and Mendip Hills Surgery at The Lamb Inn, Axbridge, 11am.
Mon 8 Sep. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Wed 17 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Poetry and Spoken Word. 7pm.
Wed 24 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Acoustic Music Night. 7pm.
Thu 18-Sat 20 Sep. Axbridge Fun Fair. Axbridge Square.
Friday 19 Sep. Cheddar Reservoir 2 Consultation. Axbridge Town Hall from 4-8pm.
Fri 19 Sep. Cross Memorial Hall. An evening with John Buckler. 7.30pm.
Fri 19 Sep. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Sloe Jam, acoustic band from Frome area, and support. Doors open at 7.00pm.
Sat, 20 Sep. Axbridge Carnival. 2pm. Procession through the town.
Sun 28 Sept. Axbridge. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Crumbs. Badapple Theatre. 7pm.
Fri 3 Oct, Axbridge. Music concert. Phil King in the Town Hall in aid of the carnival.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Square. Coin collection – unwanted foreign coins being collected in aid of Friends of Axbridge Church during the market.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge. St John’s Parish Church. Concert by Joyful Spirit Choir. 7.30pm. In aid of Friends of Axbridge Church.
Sun 5 Oct. Axbridge. Phil Hill in Concert. Carnival fundraiser. Town Hall. 7.15pm.
Mon 13 Oct. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Fri. 31st Oct. Axe Vale Arts Centre. 3 Rivers, female acapella trio from Bristol and support. Doors open at 7.00pm
Sat 1 Nov. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 10 Nov. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat, 22 Nov: Axbridge Progressive Supper. 6pm-11.30pm.
Wed 26-Sat 29 Nov. Axbridge Town Hall. ACT present the play Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial.
Sat 6 Dec. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 8 Dec. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat 20 Dec. Axbridge Square. Santa in the Square celebrations.
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge Square. Christmas Farmers’ Market. 10am.
Wed 31 Dec. Axbridge. New Year Celebrations in the Square. 11.59pm.
2029
Sat-Mon 25-27 Aug. Axbridge. Pageant/community play. 3pm The Square.
Axbridge News is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
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