Update on our proposals for the Fens reservoir

Our third round of consultation for the proposed reservoir in the Fens finished on 10 December 2025. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the consultation. All feedback is greatly appreciated and will help us to further shape the project.

Since the consultation finished we have been collating and reviewing all responses received. As a next step, we will conduct analysis to have regard to the feedback received and consider changes to the scheme that may be required.

Our work on the proposed reservoir in the Fens continues at pace and, as recognised by OFWAT, significant milestones have recently been achieved including advancing the design of the reservoir, completing significant site surveys and ground investigations and, most recently, completing the third phase of public consultation for Fens, which has been well received by stakeholders.

Whilst the project is advanced, it remains in the early part of the development lifecycle and, as expected for projects of this scale and complexity, we continue to progress with and develop the design. This is informed by ongoing assessments for the options for the sources of water for the reservoir, taking on board feedback from engagement and consultation, environmental surveys and assessments, which all result in updates to the project design.

Progress has been clearly communicated with our regulator OFWAT and we continue to engage widely with stakeholders to advance onward development and reset the timing of the RAPID Gate 3 milestone for the Fens reservoir so it more closely aligns with the DCO process.