Anglian Water is to deliver a new public space for the community beneath Westgate Tower in Lincoln's Bailgate quarter, following planned works linked to the company's flagship Strategic Pipeline programme to secure water supplies for future generations while celebrating the city's heritage.

New underground equipment will be installed beneath the historic tower by Anglian Water's Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) — comprising Costain, Farrans, Jacobs and Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB). The Strategic Pipeline will span hundreds of kilometres from North Lincolnshire to Essex, strengthening water resilience in one of the driest regions of the UK.

Permission has been granted to open the space beneath Westgate Water Tower for the public to enjoy for years to come. The scheme will also advance the understanding of Lincoln's past, with archaeological digs planned to explore areas that have remained untouched for more than a thousand years.

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Essential landscape works are expected to begin on 16 February under a road closure managed by Lincolnshire Highways. Archaeological investigations are scheduled to start in summer 2026, with construction commencing in summer 2027. Water supplies for local customers will continue as normal throughout.

For safety reasons, a small number of trees will be removed and replaced as part of a new planting plan designed to create thriving habitats and enhance biodiversity across Lincoln. To enable safe access during construction, the front wrought-iron railings and stonework surrounding the tower will be carefully removed and restored off-site, then reinstated alongside additional fencing on Chapel Lane.

Allen Haigh, Senior Project Manager at SPA, said: "These works are an important part of strengthening the resilience of Lincoln's water network, while also creating a new space for the community to spend recreational time in. We're grateful for the residents' patience while we carry out this work, and we'll continue to provide regular updates, including on any finds that we uncover during the archaeological dig."

The project forms part of Anglian Water's largest-ever upgrade to its networks. Backed by more than £11 billion of investment, the company is "building for better" to support communities and the environment, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing now and in the future.