A second Cheddar Reservoir (Cheddar Reservoir 2 or simply 'Cheddar Two') was proposed by Bristol water in 2013, but plans were shelved in 2018 when an updated analysis questioned necessity. However, the site reappeared on the government's list of strategic new reservoirs in response to summers of more severe weather including droughts.
The plan is for an 8.2 billion litre capacity reservoir, able to supply 20 million litres of drinking water per day to around 40,000 homes (100,000 people). A 76 kilometre underground pipe will cross underneath the M5 and the railway line to link up to Wessex Water's network. Regulator Ofwat has approved the project, provided the wetlands are protected.
The location is due south of the current reservoir, so you'll see it clearly from the Clewer Road.
Procurement is expected in July 2027 with construction due to begin in July 2029 and the site fully operational by 2035. There are various consultation stages and the whole thing is documented on the West Country Water and Environment website here.
Originally pegged at less than £700 million, costs have risen since the initial proposal and now sit at around £1.2 billion. Water firms have until June 2026 to submit new costings.
The sheer size of the project raises concerns. The roads around the proposed site are already under pressure and with such a long construction phase, the reservoir looks like years-long frustration and pain, particularly for people living around Upper New Road.
Secondly, there will be an inevitable environmental cost. While the final plans include nature trails and bird hides, the construction of the reservoir will cause habit destruction and wildlife loss, that may take years to recover. Somerset Council doesn't seem to be very good as succession planting, but we would strongly encourage a strategy that allows wildlife to find new homes before any work begins.
Proper public consultation is needed. The government usually doesn't listen to residents' concerns if they consider as project to be in the 'national interest', but the size and scope of Cheddar Reservoir 2 demands that local voices are heard.
