Hawes Water Resilience Programme (HARP)

Ribble & Hodder Catchments – RFCA Information Page

What is HARP?

The Hawes Water Resilience Programme (HARP) is a major, long-term infrastructure project being delivered by United Utilities to secure drinking water supplies across the North West of England.

The programme involves replacing sections of the historic Haweswater Aqueduct, which was constructed between the 1930s and 1950s and supplies water to millions of people. Parts of the aqueduct route pass beneath or close to sensitive landscapes and river catchments, including Bowland, the River Ribble, and the River Hodder.

For the RFCA, HARP is relevant because elements of the programme involve:
  • ground investigations and surveys
  • construction compounds and access routes
  • temporary roads and bridges
  • long-term tunnelling works
All of which have the potential to interact with river systems and fisheries if not properly managed.

Why the RFCA is Involved

The Ribble Fisheries Consultative Association (RFCA) represents angling clubs, riparian owners and fisheries interests across the Ribble and Hodder catchments, working in close collaboration with the Hodder Consultative (HC) and the Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT).

While the RFCA is not a regulatory authority, our members collectively manage important river and fishery assets. Our role in HARP has been to:

  • engage early with project partners
  • support proportionate monitoring and early-warning systems
  • ensure fisheries and river interests are properly represented
  • keep members informed using clear, factual information

Current Phasing of the HARP Project

The contractors have provided a high-level programme timeline, which helps clarify where the project currently sits and when more intensive works are expected.
Current phasing of the HARP Project

Note: This timeline is indicative only and subject to change. It has been provided to assist members and interested parties in understanding the current programme position.

Key point for members:

The most significant construction impacts are not expected until late 2027, but early planning, monitoring and safeguards are being developed now.

Bowland and Marl Hill – Local Context

United Utilities has published location-specific information through the HARP Virtual Exhibition, including maps, compounds, access routes and traffic management proposals.

Bowland:

The Bowland section includes the longest tunnel section of the HARP programme, compounds at Newton-in-Bowland and Lower Houses, temporary access routes and bridges, and long-duration works, much of which take place underground.

Official Bowland information: https://harpinformation.co.uk/bowland/

Marl Hill:
The Marl Hill section forms another key part of the aqueduct replacement programme, with its own compounds, access arrangements and construction phases.
Official Marl Hill information: https://harpinformation.co.uk/marl-hill/

Monitoring, Water Quality and Fisheries Protection

Water quality monitoring has been a central focus of RFCA engagement throughout the HARP programme. Existing in-river monitoring sondes continue to be maintained and serviced, with new upgraded equipment due to be installed. These systems have already demonstrated their value, having helped identify and respond to non-HARP pollution incidents.

In parallel, the RFCA has worked in close collaboration with the Hodder Consultative (HC) and the Ribble Rivers Trust (RRT), alongside the Environment Agency and United Utilities, to support the development of a strong and reliable baseline water-quality dataset. This collaborative approach reflects a shared commitment to protecting the river environment

Although delays to the wider programme were not anticipated, they have allowed an extended period of monitoring, resulting in a robust benchmark dataset. This now provides a solid foundation for identifying abnormal readings at an early stage and supporting proportionate investigation where required.

As the project moves into the contractor-led phase with STRABAG, it is important that this monitoring approach is maintained and built upon to ensure continuity and confidence as works progress.

Emergency Response and Preparedness

Alongside monitoring, the RFCA, HC and RRT have consistently stressed the importance of clear and practical emergency response arrangements. This includes agreed trigger points, well-defined communication routes and clarity around roles and responsibilities.

Contractors have confirmed that overarching emergency response frameworks are in place, and further work is underway to ensure these are developed into site-specific arrangements appropriate for the Ribble and Hodder catchments.
This next stage will be particularly important in enabling the angling community to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ on the river, ensuring that any issues are identified and addressed at the earliest possible opportunity. To support this, the RFCA, HC and RRT have jointly presented a monitoring and response proposal to United Utilities, STRABAG and partner organisations, which we believe provides a strong and practical framework for moving forward.

What This Means for RFCA Members

In practical terms:

  • monitoring is already in place and being strengthened
  • major construction is still some time away
  • RFCA is engaged early and proactively
  • fisheries and river interests remain central to discussions
A short member summary is available:

“HARP – What This Means for RFCA Members” (1-page briefing)

Further Information

Going Forward

This page will be updated as the programme progresses and will form the basis of a dedicated HARP subsection on the RFCA website.

The RFCA will continue to engage constructively with project partners, support proportionate monitoring, and keep members informed as works move closer to construction.

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