Mayor Paul Bristow statement on Fens Reservoir NSIP designation

Mayor Paul Bristow statement on Fens Reservoir NSIP designation

Paul Bristow said: 

“The Government’s decision to designate the Fens Reservoir as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) is a vital step forward for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and a clear recognition that our region needs new water infrastructure.

I have been calling for the Fens Reservoir to be sped up for months, and I’ve promised to get it delivered. I’m glad the Government is now listening. As one of the fastest growing regions in the UK, water is a pressing issue, impacting communities, agriculture and our natural environment including rare chalk streams. This designation will fast-track the planning process, but the Government must now fast-track delivery to end the 33-year drought of new reservoirs.

But this project can deliver more than just much needed water security. When delivered, the Fens Reservoir should serve as a true community asset offering facilities for tourism, leisure and more. It has potential to become a destination in its own right, helping our region to be healthier, wealthier and happier. We should be ambitious, Discover Rutland estimates visitors to Rutland Water contribute £150 million to the local economy. We can achieve similar benefits here.

Only last week, the Combined Authority brought together Anglian Water and a wide range of stakeholders to promote to broader benefits of the Fens reservoir to a national audience at UKREiiF. This event allowed us to highlight the opportunity to invest in the reservoir as a tourism and leisure destination. The new Fens Reservoir could also serve as a catalyst for developing additional infrastructure such as a light rail system to connect Wisbech and Chatteris with the rail network at March.

The designation of the Reservoir as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project is a vote of confidence in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s ability to play our part in achieving the ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. Delivery of the reservoir will ensure the benefits of growth are felt by all.

I want to thank all involved in getting the project to this stage, especially Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and Water Resources East. I will continue to work with partners to ensure our region has secure water supply long into the future.

Now we need to continue the momentum to get the Reservoir delivered. We cannot wait until 2036.”