Over the last two decades, we have invested millions of pounds upgrading our wastewater treatment sites, pumping stations and sewers in and around Windermere. Between now and 2030 we are investing £200 million in the Windermere catchment to further improve treatment standards, reduce phosphorus entering the lake and reduce stormwater spills.

Our project at Ambleside

We have started on site in Miller Field, where we are installing two above ground stormwater storage tanks. The new tanks will be 27m wide and 5m high, and will hold around 4,500m3 of water - that’s about the same as two Olympic size swimming pools!

Why we are doing this

Currently, rainwater can enter the sewer system during wet weather. When large amounts of rainfall enter the network, it can become overloaded, increasing the likelihood of spills from storm overflows. By installing the two new above ground storage tanks to store stormwater, this project is going to help reduce the frequency of spills from the storm overflow.

What will the impact be locally?

During the construction period the local community may notice: 

• An increase in construction vehicles and delivery wagons travelling to and from the site 
• Excavators and other construction machinery operating on site 
• Deliveries of large plant and equipment
• Lifting operations visible from nearby properties 
• General construction noise, including vehicle movements, reversing alarms and excavation activities 

We do have a traffic management and access plan in operation, meaning that we are keeping any construction traffic away from Ambleside town centre. Miller Bridge Car Park remains in use for the public, and Parkrun continues to operate weekly with a diverted route.

We appreciate that construction activity can cause some temporary disruption and would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while these important environmental improvements are delivered.

When will the project be complete?

The project is due to be completed by 2028, and once finished, we will be replanting woodland areas at the site. Our landscaping proposal and visualisations of how the site will look in the future can be viewed below.

Reducing spills in Ambleside

Once completed, we propose to replant woodland areas at the site. This is displayed on this map: