United Utilities announces preferred bidder for HARP ITA role

United Utilities has taken another major step for the Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) by announcing the preferred bidder for the role of Independent Technical Adviser (ITA).

Following a competitive tender process, Turner & Townsend Infrastructure Limited, has been identified as the preferred bidder to deliver the role.

HARP will be the largest infrastructure project undertaken by United Utilities since privatisation. The original aqueduct was completed in the 1950s to increase supplies of water into Manchester and the Pennines from the Lake District. The project will ensure the resilience of the asset for decades to come.

Earlier this year the water company for the North West also identified the STRABAG Equitix Consortium as the preferred bidder as the Competitively Appointed Provider (CAP) to design, build, finance and maintain the replacement of the six tunnels sections (approximately 50km) of the Haweswater Aqueduct. 

John McNeill, Head of Programme Delivery at United Utilities, said: “The ITA will play a crucial role for HARP by providing objective, independent assurance on costs and delivery of the project.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a dedicated team, and we are really pleased to have now established our preferred bidder for the ITA role.”