Southern Water has launched procurement for a major pipeline scheme between Winchester and Andover, valued at \u00a384m including VAT.<\/p>\n
The Andover Link Main (ALM) forms part of the firm\u2019s Water Resources Management Plan.<\/p>\n
The project involves construction of a 25km below-ground bi-directional pipeline and new and upgraded booster stations, Southern Water said today (2 September) in a planned procurement notice.<\/p>\n
It is designed to deliver 15 megalitres per day by March 2030, improving resilience for the Andover Water Resource Zone.<\/p>\n
Southern Water will appoint a single principal contractor to design and build the scheme. The contractor will also support planning condition discharges and environmental permitting, with specialist works subcontracted.<\/p>\n
The contract will be awarded through a competitive flexible procedure. Requests to participate must be submitted by 27 October, with an invitation to tender due on 26 September.<\/p>\n
A preferred bidder is expected to be named by April 2026. Construction is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and complete by January 2030.<\/p>\n
The target cost will be based on an activity schedule. Quality and cost will each account for 50 per cent of the award criteria.<\/p>\n
Quality will be assessed against methodology, programme, cost management, stakeholder engagement, digital delivery, team structure, and use of local skills and employment.<\/p>\n
The ALM aims to protect the River Test and River Itchen, where abstraction licences have been reduced by the Environment Agency under Section 20 of the Water Resources Act 1991.<\/p>\n
Both rivers are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, with the Itchen also classified as a Special Area of Conservation.<\/p>\n