Overview 

United Utilities set an annual regulatory delivery target of 65km of mains rehabilitation. Falling short would trigger financial penalties, so certainty and pace were non‑negotiable. Network Plus was appointed to deliver a major portion of the programme and is now on track to complete around 90km within six months. This is far exceeding the requirement and significantly outperforming the other delivery partner. This achievement reflects our ability to mobilise at speed, scale rapidly and deliver complex, time‑critical programmes with confidence. 

The scheme has been made possible from drawing on teams around Network Plus for resource. Many young managers from other contracts moved over to this, supporting Victoria Grayson who leads it.

People

Cory Smith, Water Rehab Project Manager, previously on another contract with United Utilities, joined the team. As well as Elizabeth Gordon and Katie Hill who previously worked on our CMO with Cadent Gas, under Victoria. This mix of skills and expertise has meant that we are now working across Cadent and UU to deliver dual schemes (one excavation, 2 services at the same time). This contract has been a great example of collaboration done in the right way – not only across Network Plus, but with our clients and supply chain partners as well. The result? Disruption is reduced significantly for our customers.

Background 

The confirmed work scope for the Mains Rehabilitation programme was issued in August 2025, leaving just weeks to prepare for an October 2025 operational start and a fixed completion date of 31 March 2026. The challenge was intensified by the need to convert United Utilities’ modelling reports into fully workable, network‑approved designs at pace. 

At contract award, dedicated resources were minimal. The programme demanded immediate structure, technical capability and a delivery model capable of meeting an immovable regulatory target. 

Solution 

Network Plus established a full mobilisation structure within weeks, recruiting ten additional water designers and securing specialist external design support to accelerate output. A fully integrated programme was developed to align design, permitting and construction activities, ensuring delivery could begin on schedule. 

Key elements included: 

• • Rapid mobilisation: Building a functioning delivery organisation from a standing start. 

• • Accelerated design capability: Transitioning modelling reports into approved designs at speed. 

• • Highway authority engagement: Early coordination to secure street works notices and traffic management approvals. 

• • Collaborative utility planning: Aligning works with Cadent Gas and Electricity Northwest to avoid delays. 

• • Supply chain activation: Leveraging long‑standing relationships to secure plant, materials and delivery teams for an October start. 

Operational capacity grew rapidly from 19 teams by late 2025 to 32 fully operational teams by January 2026.

These teams are now delivering a sustained run rate of approximately 6km per week, putting the programme on track to achieve around 90km of mains rehabilitation, well above the regulatory requirement. 

Customer 

United Utilities required a delivery partner capable of providing certainty, scale and resilience under extreme time constraints. Network Plus has demonstrated exactly that. Our ability to mobilise quickly, integrate complex technical requirements and scale operational delivery at pace has ensured United Utilities not only meets but significantly exceeds its regulatory commitments. 

This programme showcases one of Network Plus’ core strengths: the capability to deliver high‑pressure, time‑critical infrastructure programmes with confidence and consistency.