Arup, in joint venture with Binnies, has been selected by Southern Water to support the planning phase of the Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST) project, a major strategic water transfer scheme forming part of the UK’s Strategic Resource Options (SROs) programme. The SROs represent the largest coordinated investment ever undertaken by the UK water sector, with current estimates placing total expenditure at around £104 billion.
Under the appointment, the Arup Binnies joint venture will provide multidisciplinary expertise for the development of a new strategic pipeline stretching approximately 80 km. The infrastructure is designed to transfer up to 120 million litres of water per day from the White Horse Reservoir in Oxfordshire to Hampshire. Once in operation, the scheme is expected to play a crucial role in reducing abstraction from local rivers, helping to safeguard vulnerable chalk streams and improve long-term water security in one of the country’s most water-stressed regions.
The White Horse Reservoir reservoir and the T2ST pipeline are central elements of national plans aimed at enhancing water resilience across the South East
The appointment builds on the JV’s existing role as delivery partner for Thames Water on the White Horse Reservoir project. Together, the reservoir and the T2ST pipeline are central elements of national plans aimed at enhancing water resilience across the South East. For T2ST, the JV’s scope will cover planning and design, environmental assessments, ground investigations, constructability advice, and support through the development consent process and procurement of the main construction contractor.
Commenting on the appointment, Tim O’Brien, Arup Binnies JV Framework Director, said: “Building on the success of our Arup Binnies joint venture delivering the White Horse Reservoir, we are proud to extend this partnership to the Thames to Southern Transfer project. Delivering resilient water supplies for the future depends on strong collaboration and, together with Southern Water, we are committed to driving innovation and sustainability to secure water resources for generations to come.
“Drawing on our expertise across the UK and the globe, it underscores our commitment to delivering innovative, resilient, and future-proof infrastructure.”
Mark Job, Integrated Major Projects Leader at Arup, added: “This project is a major step in strengthening the UK’s water resilience in a highly stressed region. Our partnership approach for the White Horse Reservoir reflects a new model for delivering major infrastructure - one built on collaboration and shared responsibility for the outcomes.”
From the client side, Ben Ring, Major Projects Director at Southern Water, said: “The Thames to Southern Transfer is one of a number of new water sources we’re developing for our customers in Hampshire which, together with our investment in the White Horse Reservoir, will reduce the amount taken from the county’s rare and sensitive chalk streams.”
