PLANS for a huge new water tunnel system through the Forest of Bowland, affecting villages, roads, footpaths and land across Lancashire, are to go before Ribble Valley councillors.

United Utilities has submitted a massive planning application to replace the Haweswater Aqueduct system, which runs from the Lake District through Lancashire to Greater Manchester.

The water system, originally built between the 1930s and 1950s, needs to be updated. It supplies drinking water to more than two million people.

Sections of the new proposed tunnel will pass through the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Proposals include earthworks, creating new tunnel shafts, taking up to 1.5million tonnes of waste from tunnels to Waddington Fell Quarry, building new valve houses, work compounds, drainage, transport arrangements and new crossings over the River Ribble and Hodder.

United Utilities has sent local applications to different district councils along the route. In the Ribble Valley area, the Haweswater Aqueduct Replacement Scheme, (also known as HARP), is divided into sections around Marl Hill and Newton-in-Bowland.

Parishes have been consulted and questions raised about the impact of HGV lorries on rural roads and villages, traffic safety and management, protection of land and rivers, handling of waste-water, and potential noise, light and dust disturbance.

County planners have granted planning permission for taking waste to Waddington Fell Quarry.

Ribble Valley planning officers are recommending borough councillors defer  and delegate the plan to the council’s director of economic development and planning for approval, following  a legal agreement. The planning committee meets on Thursday.

A committee report says permission is sought to replace six existing underground tunnel sections of the aqueduct to protect future water quality and provide a more resilient supply of clean drinking water. Three compound areas at Newton-in-Bowland, Bonstone and Braddup, are planned for tunnel boring through the borough.

Some significant temporary works are also planned such as a River Hodder crossing bridge for the Newton-in Bowland compound and haul route, a River Ribble bridge between Waddington and West Bradford, a Clitheroe park-and-ride compound in an existing car park opposite Ribblesdale cement works and a Clitheroe HGV lorry holding facility in the cement works.

Major road changes would include passing places for safe access to the work compounds.

Cllr Ged Mirfin said Lancashire County Council officers had flagged-up concerns and he also felt Ribble Valley Council needs more information and time.

Cllr Mirfin added: “Highways officers say the United Utilities plans could be made  acceptable. But a number of matters need to be addressed and confirmed by planning conditions.

"Examples include agreed road changes, HGV restrictions, a legal agreement for any road deterioration or maintenance issues, rights of way maintenance and diversions, and other issues.

“They also say controls are needed to limit any traffic impacts, nuisance and vibration to properties. Some road or traffic issues may need other bodies such as Ribble Valley council or the police. Strong communication and co-operation will be needed so roads are safe and convenient, and any adverse impacts are addressed in good time by United Utilities.

"So it might be better for councillors to defer this for now, get more details from United Utilities, and then make a decision.”