£3.6bn tunnel planned to stop sewage at Windermere

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:15 · Archive

Plans have been released for a £3.6bn, 12-mile tunnel at Windermere to prevent sewage discharge into England's largest lake.

Plans have been released for a £3.6bn, 12-mile tunnel at Windermere, England's largest lake in the Lake District, to prevent sewage discharge. The lake attracts around 18 million visitors annually and holds Unesco World Heritage status. The tunnel is backed by water company United Utilities and clean water campaigners.

Raw sewage and treated effluent are currently discharged into Windermere, causing parts of the lake to turn green each summer through algal blooming. The tunnel would transport sewage away from the lake. The cost could potentially affect household bills.

Louise Beardmore, chief executive of United Utilities, described the proposals as a '100-year solution for this lake', noting that the UK typically invests in five-year periods. The government must now decide whether to allow further development of the plan and whether the £3.6bn investment is worthwhile.

How it is being reported

• Enormous 12-mile tunnel planned for one of UK's top tourist sitesA £3.6bn tunnel could be built at a tourist site visited by 18 million people a year.The Mirror · 22 Oct, 11:43
• Giant 12-mile long tunnel costing £3.6bn planned for top UK tourist attractionsAround 18 million people a year visit.Daily Express · 22 Oct, 09:21

In this story: Windermere · Lake District · United Utilities · Louise Beardmore

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