Moves to tackle water scarcity aim to drive forward ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’
Moves to tackle water scarcity aim to drive forward ‘Europe’s Silicon Valley’
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Efforts to develop what could be “Europe’s Silicon Valley” in a region spanning from Cambridge to Oxford have faced a significant challenge – a lack of water. But the go-ahead for a series of new reservoirs under the £104 billion investment deal for the water sector, approved by regulator Ofwat last month, may help deliver the housing, labs and facilities that the vision requires.
The Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor is seen as a way to boost the UK’s economy by building on the two university cities’ expertise in areas such as life sciences and artificial intelligence – with improved transport links through the region, housing and facilities.
But the East of England faces critical challenges from rising temperatures, falling rainfall, water scarcity and a growing population, according to a report by Anglian Water in 2023, threatening the important agriculture and industry in the region. The Environment Agency has previously objected to new development around Cambridge, served by Cambridge Water which draws supplies from chalk aquifers, over concerns about a lack of water in the region’s environment – which includes internationally important chalk streams.
It also objected to a new Cambridge cancer research hospital over water scarcity, although the development has been given the go-ahead and is now being prioritised by the Government. As part of Rachel Reeves’ growth speech, it has been announced the EA has lifted objections to development at Waterbeach and the Beehive centre, after Cambridge Water demonstrated it could address the water scarcity issues.
