We think
around corners.
Background
Background
United Utilities needed support with its Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience (HARP) consultation programme during the post-Covid period. They needed to find a way to continue to reach and engage with residents and stakeholders on their plans in a way that respected social distancing guidelines.
Strategy
Strategy
We collaborated with United Utilities to create an online ‘Virtual Exhibition’ platform for engaging customers in Cumbria, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. The platform replicated a traditional consultation event, offering exhibition boards, maps, and live chat for detailed discussions with the project team.
Utilising Google’s mapping software, an interactive map illustrated the local impact of the works. Consultation packs were provided for non-digital users, along with a Freepost address and phone number for contact.
The event was promoted through a mix of traditional and digital channels, including targeted social media posts inviting communities to ‘Have their say’ on the proposed plans. Newsletters were also sent to over 20,000 properties around each proposed working compound.
The project website was visited by over 12,500 people with 2,355 consultation responses received via the five virtual exhibitions covering the different project geographies.
67% of respondents said they believed the upgrade was needed and the responses helped shape a preferred route option for the pipeline, minimising disruption to local communities.
Upon submission of the nine planning applications to seven local authorities, Cavendish supported senior stakeholder engagement with Council Leaders and MPs. Planning approvals were secured in 2023 with construction anticipated to commence in 2025.
