At the peak of construction, up to 1,400 vehicles (including HGVs and light vehicles) could be travelling to and from the site of the proposed new Fens reservoir each day, representing a 6–12% increase in daily traffic flows on local roads.
Plans for the reservoir—a vast new water storage facility proposed by Anglian Water and Cambridge Water—are moving forward, with public consultation now focusing on how construction materials will reach the site and what this means for local communities.
The reservoir, set to secure water supplies for up to 250,000 homes, will transform the landscape between Chatteris and March, and the debate over railhead locations, environmental impacts, and the construction timetable is heating up.
A Project of Unprecedented Scale
The consultation document makes clear the sheer size of the reservoir and its significance for the region.
As Anglian Water states, “The new reservoir will supply enough water for up to a quarter of a million homes every year. The reservoir will store water so it’s on tap when we need it, meaning less water is taken from sensitive sources, helping us to protect and restore the environment.”
The vision for the project goes beyond water supply: “Our vision for the project goes beyond just building a reservoir. We want to create a place where people, nature and water come together.
“That means creating space for wildlife, such as wetlands, alongside enabling new recreational and educational facilities and natural places for people to explore. It also means creating new jobs and providing opportunities for local businesses and tourism.”
The reservoir will feature over 500 hectares of wetland and open space, and could draw up to 400,000 visitors every year, with around 35km of active travel routes across the site for walking, cycling, and horse riding. ]
Why Railheads Matter
Building the Fens Reservoir will require the movement of enormous quantities of materials—clay, sand, stone, and heavy equipment. While Anglian Water aims to reuse as much material from the site as possible, significant imports are unavoidable, especially for erosion protection and infrastructure.
The consultation document is candid about the impact: “We estimate that during the busiest construction years there could be an additional 1000–1400 vehicles (HGVs and LVs) per day on the routes identified.
This would be a six to twelve percent daily increase in traffic flows on these roads. We’re also looking at other ways of moving materials coming from further away to the site – such as by rail. We estimate that using rail to transport materials could help reduce these movements by up to 350–400 HGVs per day.”
The Two Main Railhead Options
The consultation outlines two principal railhead options for bringing in construction materials:
- Whitemoor Yard (March):
This existing rail facility is about 9km from the reservoir site. Materials would be delivered by freight train to Whitemoor Yard and then transported via the A141 to the main reservoir site. This option leverages established infrastructure and direct road access, but would still mean a significant number of HGVs passing through March and along the A141, raising concerns about traffic, noise, and air quality for local residents. - Manea Sidings (Stonea):
The second option involves constructing a new railhead at Manea Sidings, specifically for the reservoir project. Materials would be offloaded here and moved to the site via a purpose-built haul road. This approach could reduce the impact on public roads, keeping construction traffic away from local communities and potentially streamlining logistics. However, it would require new infrastructure and careful planning to integrate with the national rail network.
The consultation document explains: “For rail, we’ve identified two options that would involve creating a railhead location where materials could be delivered by freight train and then transported to the site, via either the A141, or a new haul road that we would need to construct.
“Both would provide connections to the national rail network, which links to ports and suppliers across the UK. Our early investigations show they could both handle the volume of materials needed. We’re actively working with Network Rail to assess the capacity and viability of the two rail options, and evaluating the potential impact of these options on local roads, and the project’s costs and timings.”
Community and Environmental Considerations
The choice of railhead will have a significant impact on the local area, influencing traffic patterns, noise, and the carbon footprint of the build.
The Whitemoor Yard option, while using existing infrastructure, could bring more HGVs through March and along the A141, potentially affecting daily life for residents and businesses.
The Manea Sidings option, by contrast, would require new construction but could keep heavy traffic off public roads, reducing disruption for local communities.
Environmental impacts are also under scrutiny. The project team is committed to minimizing carbon emissions and protecting local wildlife. The reservoir design includes over 500 hectares of wetland and open space, aiming for at least 10% biodiversity net gain. Construction plans include measures to manage noise, dust, and light pollution, as well as strategies for peat management to preserve carbon stores in the soil.
Other Transport and Access Options
While rail is the preferred option for bulk materials, the project team has also considered other transport methods.
Waterways were assessed but found to be unfeasible for direct delivery to the site, except for the possibility of using the port at King’s Lynn for sea-borne materials. Road transport will still play a role, with four main A-road routes identified for HGVs, but the aim is to minimize reliance on roads wherever possible.
Access for workers and visitors is also being planned with sustainability in mind. The main construction compound is proposed for the north side of the reservoir, with secondary compounds near the water treatment works.
Active travel routes for walking, cycling, and horse riding are being integrated into the design, along with new footbridges and signalised crossings to connect local communities.
Timetable for Building the Reservoir
The Fens Reservoir is classified as a project of national significance, progressing through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process overseen by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The indicative timetable is as follows:
- 2025–2026: Pre-application consultation, technical surveys, and design development.
- 2027: Submission of the DCO application.
- 2027–2028: DCO examination and decision.
- 2028: Secretary of State decision expected.
- 2030: Construction of the reservoir begins.
- 2036 (earliest): Reservoir in supply, providing water to homes and businesses.
Construction will be phased, starting with preliminary investigations and enabling works, followed by the main build. At peak, up to 2,000 workers may be on site, with temporary accommodation provided if needed.
Managing Construction Impacts
Anglian Water is developing a comprehensive construction traffic management plan in collaboration with local highway authorities.
This includes monitoring roads, repairing any damage caused by construction vehicles, and minimizing impacts during peak periods such as school drop-offs and pick-ups. The plan also explores opportunities to use local suppliers and workers, supporting the local economy.
Noise, dust, and light pollution will be managed through strict environmental controls, and a discretionary compensation policy is being considered for homeowners outside the project boundary who may be affected by construction.
Balancing Logistics, Environment, and Community
The decisions made now about railheads and transport routes will shape the experience of local communities for years to come. The project team is urging residents to get involved and help guide the future of this landmark development.
The phase three consultation runs until December 10, 2025, with feedback welcomed on all aspects of the project, including railhead options, environmental measures, and community benefits.
In Summary
The Fens Reservoir promises to secure water supplies for future generations and create new opportunities for people and nature. But the choices made about how to build it—especially where to locate railheads and how to manage construction impacts—will be crucial in ensuring the project delivers benefits while minimizing disruption for local communities.
Now is the time for residents to have their say and help shape the future of the Fens.
Article based on “A proposed reservoir in the Fens – Phase three consultation – main reservoir site proposals” (Anglian Water, October 2025) To learn more or submit feedback, visit https://fensreservoir.co.uk/ or email info@fensreservoir.co.uk. Public events and consultation materials are available online and at local venues.
