The Mayor of Knutsford and local councillors have visited United Utilities' £48 million programme to upgrade the sewer network across Cheshire and improve water quality in the town.

Councillors Bryan Hartley, Peter Coan and Colin Banks toured the company’s Parkgate Lane construction site last week to view phase one, which is delivering a new stormwater tunnel.

The 1.8km tunnel will run as deep as 20 metres and hold up to 5.5 million litres of stormwater during heavy rainfall, before flows are treated at Knutsford wastewater treatment works.

During the visit, they were introduced to the tunnel boring machine, recently named ‘Lily’ by pupils at Bexton Primary School after the local watercourse, and briefed on the precision engineering that will drive the tunnel to the treatment works for completion by mid‑2027.

-- Advertisement --

The second phase adopts a partnership approach with Natural England and Tatton Estates to remove a century's worth of sediment from the Pool.

To enable this safely, a fish rehoming operation took place at Moor Pool last month. Specialist contractors netted and moved 19 pike, 24 bream, one carp and large numbers of roach and perch further upstream in Peover so essential sediment removal can proceed.

Jane Simpson, United Utilities' Commercial Engineering and Capital Delivery Director, explained that removing the sediment will help restore the pool's health, improve water quality and protect the wildlife that depends on it. Once the works are complete, fish are expected to naturally repopulate Moor Pool from downstream near Middle Pool.

She said: "This project highlights our ongoing commitment to improving water quality in the county and shows how working closely with partners can deliver innovative solutions to stormwater management in protected areas.

"Once complete, the scheme will be able to store up to 5.5 million litres of stormwater during heavy rainfall — the equivalent of two Olympic‑sized swimming pools."