Welsh civil engineering firm Jones Bros Civil Engineering has secured a multi-million pound contract to build a major reservoir in south east England as part of a joint commercial venture. The Ruthin-headquartered business and West Sussex-based engineering contractor Mackley have united as Future Water MJJV Limited to construct the Havant Thicket Reservoir in East Hampshire in a contract worth £167 million.
The reservoir is the first large-scale new water storage reservoir in the UK to be built since the 1980s. It will store 8.7bn litres and supply up to 21m litres of water each day, securing critical water supplies for the region. The scheme is being financed by Portsmouth Water, which appointed Future Water following a tendering process.
Portsmouth Water has agreed £150m of equity funding provided by investors in the company’s owner Ancala Partners, as well as money that will be borrowed. A total of £120m of the equity funding will be used this year, with a further £30m to follow in early 2024.
Read more: The three bids competing to become Wales' first freeport
As part of the project, a new £41 million tunnelled pipeline, running to and from the reservoir, will be installed by Ward & Burke Construction. The development, which is being built on a 160-hectare grassland site owned by Portsmouth Water since the mid-1960s, is expected to complete by 2029.
The reservoir was granted formal planning permission in October 2021, with a further planning application for the new pipeline expected to be submitted in Summer 2023.
Bob Taylor, chief executive officer at Portsmouth Water, said: “This is a major milestone for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project, and we are delighted to have these two exceptional contractors delivering the scheme.
“We were highly impressed by the proposals put forward by Future Water MJJV and Ward & Burke during the tender process, with both companies being able to call upon vastly experienced teams, with strong track records in successfully delivering major infrastructure.”
Future Water director Ben Hamer said: “Future Water is delighted to have been selected by Portsmouth Water to deliver this critical piece of water infrastructure for the South East of England. As a regional company, legacy projects, such as this, are central to the values of our staff and stakeholders.”
Fellow director John Dielhof said: “It’s a project that we can’t wait to get started on because we know how much of a positive impact it will have on the region. The scheme will safeguard dozens of jobs for our skilled workforce, as well as create opportunities for apprentices and trainees to kickstart their civil engineering career with us.
“In addition, we are eager to see the impact this has on the local economy, through supply chain opportunities and spending in the local area.”
Read more:
- Audio production firm wins contract to produce BBC Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show
Adra to build 900 new homes for North Wales by 2025 following £40m loan
Welsh cyber security firm Hut Six in six-figure equity boost
Welsh university research projects face 'urgent cliff edge' over end of EU funds
Freeport status should go to more than one port in Wales say Welsh Tories
