We've put together a list of common FAQs below. 

 

The proposed pipeline

 

Where will the pipeline run and how was the route chosen?

The pipeline will run from Grafham Water treatment works towards Lolworth in Cambridge. We’re working together with Cambridge Water to deliver this pipeline. It includes a new 28km pipeline that’ll run from Grafham. 21km will be delivered by our team and a further 7km section, known as the Madingley spur, will be delivered by Cambridge Water.

A preferred route has been identified following extensive technical and environmental assessments. The current alignment reflects these requirements alongside ongoing discussions with affected landowners. The route has been shaped by engineering feasibility, environmental surveys and engagement with landowners and local authorities. 

You can explore the proposed route here. 

If you’re a landowner and haven’t heard from our Lands team, please email: strategicpipelines@anglianwater.co.uk so we can discuss next steps with you. 

Here is the timeline for the Grafham to Cambridge pipeline.

 For more information about the strategic pipelines, you can contact the project team by email at: strategicpipelines@anglianwater.co.uk. 

Following further surveys and design development, a formal planning application is expected to be submitted in Autumn 2026. 

We expect to begin preparing the site late 2027/spring 2028.

Here is the timeline for the Grafham to Cambridge pipeline 

We aim to have the pipeline ready for testing in 2030. 

Here is the timeline for the Grafham to Cambridge pipeline. 

Planning Application

 

How does the planning process work and what approvals are needed?

We’ve submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report to the Local Planning Authorities affected by the project. This is an early stage in the planning process, which seeks feedback on the proposed route design and survey scope from Statutory Consultees.  

As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, the Local Planning Authorities are required to consult specific organisations known as statutory consultees. These are bodies with legal responsibilities for environmental, heritage, transport and public protection matters. 

For the Grafham to Cambridge Pipeline, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report has been submitted to: 

  • Huntingdonshire District Council
  • South Cambridgeshire District Council

For the Cambridge to Rede Pipeline, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report has been submitted to: 

  • South Cambridgeshire District Council
  • East Cambridgeshire District Council
  • West Suffolk District Council

As part of the scoping process, these councils consult relevant statutory bodies, which typically include: 

  • Environment Agency – water quality, flood risk and environmental protection 
  • Historic England – archaeology and historic environment 
  • The relevant County Council(s) as Highway Authority – transport and access matters 

Additional consultees may be involved depending on the specific environmental topics being assessed. Their feedback helps shape the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment and makes that environmental considerations are fully addressed before a planning application is submitted. 

 

During surveying and future construction, there may be temporary impacts such as field accesses or temporary working areas. Our teams work with local highway authorities and landowners to manage safety and minimise disruption. Final construction plans and traffic management details will be shared locally closer to the works.  Explore how we keep disruptions to a minimum.  

A broad programme of environmental surveys, ground investigation and engineering assessments is underway to inform the final design. These surveys help identify and protect important habitats, protected species and local environmental features when planning the pipeline.  

Our land agents have already contacted landowners along the proposed route to let them know whether the pipeline will cross or come close to their land. Landowners should have received direct communication about how the project might affect them and information around compensation. 

Access will be needed to carry out environmental and ground condition surveys. Most of this access will be pedestrian, but some parts may require vehicles and intrusive ground investigations. Anglian Water says it will work with landowners to minimise disruption and offer compensation for any losses. 

We value local input during the project’s decision-making. Landowners have been asked to complete Land Entry Questionnaires to share issues or constraints about their land. In addition, public information events took place early Spring 2026, where people could see detailed plans, ask questions, and share feedback with the project team. This feedback has now been gathered and will form part of the ‘Statement of community involvement’.

Events took place early Spring 2026, where people could see detailed plans, ask questions, and share feedback with the project team. This feedback has now been gathered and will form part of the ‘Statement of community involvement’.

Our networks are getting the biggest upgrade of our time, with a plan worth over £11 billion. Our region is the driest in the country and growing fast, so we need new water supplies to keep taps flowing and toilets flushing for the future. Building these new pipes will help to support growing communities, protect nature and help it thrive. 


Explore the story behind your bill here. 

Community Involvement

 

Do you hold public information events for this project?

Yes we run public consultation events. These events give residents the chance to meet the project team, understand the plans in more detail, ask questions, and share views in person. 

You can still share your views, and we encourage you to read the consultation materials before responding.  

Cambridge to Rede consultation brochure.

Grafham to Cambridge consultation brochure.

Email your comments to strategicpipelines@anglianwater.co.uk.

Your feedback is vital to shaping the project. We’re currently preparing a ‘Statement of community involvement’ which includes residents queries and concerns around the proposed pipeline and project and this will be used in our planning application. We’ll be including our statement of community involvement here when it’s finalised. 

Yes, we're engaging with Parish Councils as part of the planning process. Parish Councils provide important feedback to Local Planning Authorities.  We're also offering opportunities for direct engagement so they can raise questions or concerns with us. If you’re unsure whether we’ve contacted your Parish Council, please get in touch and we can provide an update. 

Email strategicpipelines@anglianwater.co.uk. 

We understand that some people may not have seen our work locally yet. We have already supported a range of community initiatives, including working with rivercare groups, orchard planting, and donating books to schools. We’re also promoting our Thriving Communities fund, which provides funding for projects that deliver environmental and social benefits. 

We’re continuing to expand our presence and welcome suggestions for how we can better support your community. 

Building the Pipeline

 

Will there be any road closures during construction?

Any road closures will only take place with agreement from the County Highways Authority. Details will be included in our Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP), submitted as part of the planning application. 

The CTMP will set out: 

  • how we'll phase and time works 
  • traffic management arrangements 
  • how we'll coordinate with the Highways Authority 

Our priority is to keep people safe and minimise disruption wherever possible. 

Laydown areas are temporary locations used during construction to store materials, equipment, and machinery close to where work is taking place. 

Because the pipeline stretches over a long distance, having designated laydown areas helps us reduce construction traffic, minimise disruption for local communities, and maintain safety on site. 

These areas are used only for the duration of construction and are included as part of the planning process. We work closely with local highways authorities to ensure they are located and managed in a way that minimises impacts on residents. 

When laying the new pipeline in the ground, there are lots of elements that need installing in order to complete .

We will be laying the new pipe, creating access pits and building pumping stations and storage tanks, before everything is connected together.   

This means we will sometimes need to revisit the same area to build these additional parts of the project, as they can’t all be built at the same time.   

We coordinate closely with other utility providers and developers to make sure all work is properly planned and does not overlap. Before starting any project, we review existing plans, infrastructure records, and site information, and engage with relevant parties to clearly define responsibilities. 

Where multiple companies or developers are working in the same area, we agree on access, timelines, and scope in advance. This helps prevent duplication, reduces disruption, and ensures that all work is carried out safely and efficiently. 

We follow industry standards and maintain open communication throughout the project to keep everything aligned and running smoothly.