Community and environment

During the planning of the Ring Main extensions, potential environmental impacts of the project were identified and where possible, mitigated within the design.

Minimising the impact of the project

As with the original Ring Main, the tunnel designs allow for large quantities of water to be moved under gravity therefore avoiding energy intensive pumping and its associated greenhouse gas emissions.

As with any large infrastructure project, there are temporary environmental impacts that will occur during construction of the Ring Main extensions.

These include noise and traffic movements associated with the tunnelling operations, removal of excavated material and deliveries of tunnel lining materials.

We have minimised these impacts through the selection of appropriate construction methods and working hours, and by gaining local knowledge through consultation with the relevant councils and other local groups.

Community relations

During the construction of the two extensions to the Ring Main we have kept local residents up to date.

Public drop-in sessions and regular residents’ meetings were held for residents to find out  more about the project.