ACE Group has said Government plans for new reservoirs risk getting stuck in the development stage without effective public-private sector partnership models.  

Whilst welcoming the news to bypass cumbersome planning for two major reservoirs for the first time since the 1990s, ACE Group is urging policymakers to provide greater clarity on the investment models and delivery frameworks needed to turn ambition into action.  

The Association for Consultancy and Engineering, the trade association for the infrastructure sector with members ranging from global companies such as ARUP, AECOM, BWB and Mott MacDonald to SMEs and micro developers, has said that strong public-private partnerships will be integral to the Government’s plan to build new reservoirs.  

Ben Brittain, Director of Public Affairs at ACE Group, said: “Awarding two new reservoir projects in East Anglia and Lincolnshire the status of being ‘nationally significant’ is a vital first step in safeguarding the UK’s long-term water resilience, but without a clear roadmap for public-private collaboration, progress risks stalling at this approval stage. 

“A well-designed PPP framework will unlock not only capital investment, but also opportunities for skills development and the use of unique innovation to speed up delivery, and with the ever-increasing risk of drought in dry summer months, speed and delivery is mission critical.” 

Kate Jennings, Chief Executive of ACE Group, also commented: “We fully welcome the Government’s bold pledge to invest in the UK’s first new reservoirs in a generation. Now we urgently need to see detail on how public-private partnerships will be structured to drive delivery at pace and scale.  

“ACE represents the UK's leading consultancy and engineering firms and stands ready to support this effort by bringing global expertise in infrastructure planning, engineering and programme delivery. Members have a track record of success on major schemes such as Thames Tideway and the Elizabeth Line - offering proven models for risk-sharing, financing, and innovation that can be applied here. 

“Engineering design consultancies are uniquely positioned to support early-stage planning and enable the rapid upskilling required across the supply chain. But we need clarity on investment mechanisms, risk allocation, and delivery roles to mobilise industry effectively.  

“ACE and its members look forward to working closely with policymakers, regulators, and water companies to co-create practical delivery plans and ensure this once-in-a-generation opportunity becomes a reality.”