From Tuesday 22 July to Friday 29 August 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the completion of the district heating pipework connections at County Field, adjacent to the LICA building.

• An area to the east side of the LICA building will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the connection of the pipework. 
• All fire exit doors in the LICA building will remain accessible at all times.
• Access will be closed along the pedestrian route from Lancaster Square to the Perimeter Road and diversions will be in place.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required. 

From Monday 21 July to Tuesday 30 September 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the pipework connections in the plant room on the ground floor of the County Main building.

• During the work, a temporary boiler located on County Avenue will be used to maintain essential services to the building until a one-time, 48-hour shutdown of hot water. This will take place from 8.00am on Monday 21 until 5pm on Wednesday 22 July. The hot water supply in the family flats will not be affected.
• Access will be closed along the footpath from Lancaster Square to County Avenue throughout the works. Diversion signage and Heras fencing will be in place to allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network to the plant room.
• 6 parking bays will be out of use on County Avenue from Monday 21 July until Monday 11 August for the storage of materials. The electric vehicle and accessible parking bays will be unaffected.
• Access to County South kitchens from County Avenue will remain open for deliveries.
• Work will commence from 8.00am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

On Wednesday 16 April, the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will complete the installation of the district heating pipework up to County Field accommodation and move towards building connection works from Tuesday 22 April until Friday 19 September 2025.

External pipework will be installed on the end elevation of each block of houses and along the rooftop to the existing boiler flue, connecting the buildings to the District Heating Network. This is in preparation for the final pipework connections and installation of new Heat Interface Units starting in July 2025.

• Scaffolding will be erected at one end of each block of houses to enable the contractor to install the pipework and access the rooftop. Heras fencing and diversions will be in place.
• Access will be closed along the footpath between Apple House (building 84) and Violet House (building 85) from the south side, and the footpath between Tansy House (building 87) and Sorrel House (building 88) will be closed from both sides. Access to building entrances will always be maintained via diversion routes where necessary.
• This work will be noisy at times while scaffolding is assembled and intermittent drilling is carried out. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• Bin stores and secure cycle parking will remain accessible.
• The BBQ area will remain open.
• The dog spend area will remain out of use. 
• Four staff parking spaces along North Drive will be taken out of use during the work but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• An additional eight staff parking spaces opposite County Field accommodation and eight staff parking spaces opposite the CEH building will be taken out of use intermittently during the work.

From Wednesday 10 September until Thursday 23 October the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework along South Drive from Alexandra Park Drive crossing to InfoLab.

More details will be provided closer to the start date. If you would like any information in advance of this time, please email facilitiescommunication@lancaster.ac.uk.

On the evening of Friday 15 August, three huge storage tanks will be delivered as part of the Net Zero Energy Project. Due to the scale of the tanks, the load will overhang the width of the carriageway on Bigforth Drive.

Police will escort the storage tanks from Lancaster services on the M6, to junction 33, along the A6 through Galgate and up Bigforth Drive, the University’s main entrance. The three deliveries are expected to arrive at regular intervals, estimated to be between 7pm and 9pm, although these timings are subject to change.

On arrival at the top of Bigforth Drive the vehicles must travel against the traffic flow, anticlockwise around Bigforth Drive roundabout, heading to south campus. Marshalls will be in place on the access roads to the roundabout to hold any traffic during this manoeuvre. The vehicles will then proceed along South Drive past the Pre-School Centre and into the new Net Zero Energy Centre site on southeast campus. View the route on MazeMap.

On the weekend of Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 August, the contractor will work on the installation of the storage tanks, which will be craned into place individually. Once the vehicles have deposited the storage tanks, they will reverse along South Drive in front of InfoLab21, into Alexandra Park Drive to turn and then leave the campus via South Drive and Bigforth Drive. Marshalls will be in place to manage traffic during this manoeuvre.

South Drive closure

From Wednesday 13 to Wednesday 20 August, the existing one-way system on South Drive will be suspended and a one-week road closure will be in place from the pedestrian crossing outside InfoLab21 up to George Fox Avenue. This is to enable the contractor to prepare the site for the deliveries and work on the installation of the storage tanks.

Tower Avenue, Furness Avenue, and George Fox Avenue leading to Fylde Avenue will be accessible from North Drive.

All parking spaces and the drop-off area along this section of South Drive will be taken out of use. The footpath along South Drive will be closed from the LENS building up to George Fox Avenue. Diversion signage will be in place.

The one-way system will be reinstated, and the parking and footpath will be reopened on the evening of Wednesday 20 August.

Relocation of bus services on South Drive

The InfoLab21 and Furness College bus stops will be out of use from Monday 4 August to Sunday 7 September, while the Underpass bus station is closed for works. All services will operate to/from the Chaplaincy (Bowland Avenue) only, except the 41 and 42 (Lancaster to Garstang, Preston and Blackpool) which will operate via the A6 (in both directions).

Find out more about the Underpass closure and relocation of bus services.

Minor preparation works on Bigforth Drive

Tree pruning will be carried out in advance of the delivery, and the Belisha beacons will be temporarily removed on the pedestrian crossing along the incoming carriageway on Bigforth Drive. The pedestrian crossing and access to the Sports Centre will remain open.

From Friday 13 June until Thursday 21 August the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will start work on the installation of the district heating pipework from Green Lane, along South Drive, and outside Grizedale accommodation.

The work will be carried out in two phases, starting with pipework installation along Green Lane and South Drive. Staff parking spaces will be taken out of use but will reopen for Graduation. Once complete, work will continue in Grizedale accommodation quad.

• One lane of South Drive will be fenced off from the Grizedale accommodation quad entrance to the pedestrian crossing. A one-way system will be in place running anticlockwise around the Perimeter Road.
• Access from Alexandra Park Drive to north campus will be via the current one-way system from the junction of Alexandra Park Drive up to the east roundabout. There will be no access northbound along South Drive past Grizedale accommodation.
• Pendle Avenue will remain accessible to traffic from the north only.
• Staff parking spaces on both sides of South Drive will be taken out of use but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• Access will be closed along some pedestrian routes through Grizedale accommodation quad. Diversion signage and fencing will be in place to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipework.
• Bin stores, cycle parking and the BBQ area in Grizedale quad will remain open.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

Traffic management plan

Phase 1: Aiming to complete before Graduation

Phase 2: Due to start after Graduation

From Monday 30 June to Friday 5 September 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the replacement of the boilers and pipework connections in the plant rooms on the top floor of Lytham House 68 and Pilling House 69, Fylde. From Monday 6 October to Friday 14 November 2025 the contractor will then start the external pipework installation works in the local area.

• Vital Energi contractors will be accessing the communal stairwells but won’t need access to any student flats. 
• Access in and out of all accommodation in Lytham House 68 and Pilling House 69 will be maintained, however there may be some short, temporary closures while deliveries take place. 
• 5 parking bays will be out of use intermittently on Fylde Avenue during this work to enable the contractor to make deliveries. The accessible parking bays will be unaffected. 
• For the external works between Monday 6 October and Friday 14 November the pedestrian routes in between Lytham and Pilling will be fenced off for scaffolding to be erected. This will allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network into the plant rooms.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required. 
• There will be a one-time, eight-hour shut down of hot water in each house during the replacement of the boilers. This will take place between 8.30am – 5pm on the following dates:
  • Lytham House 68 – Tuesday 15 July
  • Pilling House 69 – Tuesday 12 August

From Monday 30 June to Thursday 2 October 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the replacement of the boilers and pipework connections in the plant rooms on the top floor of Pennington House 71, Colton House 72 and Hawkshead House 74, Furness. From Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 9 January 2026 the contractor will then start the external pipework installation works in the local area.

• Vital Energi contractors will be accessing the communal stairwells but won’t need access to any student flats. 
• Access in and out of all accommodation will be maintained, however there may be some short, temporary closures while deliveries take place. 
• 5 parking bays will be out of use intermittently at the end of Furness Avenue during this work to enable the contractor to make deliveries. The accessible parking bays will be unaffected. 
• For the external works between Monday 3 November and Friday 9 January some pedestrian access routes through Furness accommodation courtyard will be fenced off and scaffolding will be erected at Pennington and Colton. This will allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network into plant rooms.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required. 
• There will be a one-time, eight-hour shut down of hot water in each house during the replacement of the boilers. This will take place between 8.30am – 5pm on the following dates:
  • Colton House 72 – Wednesday 16 July
  • Hawkshead House 74 – Wednesday 13 August
  • Pennington House 71 – Tuesday 9 September

From Tuesday 27 May until Tuesday 16 September the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of district heating pipework and building connection works at the LEC and CEH buildings.

External pipework will be installed on the north side elevation of the LEC building and along the rooftop into the CEH plant room, to connect the CEH building to the District Heating Network.

• An area at the north side of LEC will be fenced off until Tuesday 8 July for a site compound and to enable the contractor to set up scaffolding for the installation of pipework.
• Four staff parking spaces will be taken out of use on Library Avenue but will be reopened as soon as the work completes. The CEH allocated parking spaces will remain open for use.
• The contractor will use the side entrance of the LEC building and the main stairwell to access the CEH plant room throughout the works.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times.
• On Saturday 19 July and Saturday 30 August, Library Avenue will be closed for crane lift works. 15 parking spaces to the west of the bin store will be allocated for CEH staff vehicles. Access will be closed along the pedestrian route from the South Spine to South Drive. Diversion signage and barriers will be in place.
• During the plant room installation works, due to start between July and August, there will be a downtime of heating and hot water for one day, for up to eight hours. The University Project Manager will provide further information to building users before the works commence.

From Monday 18 November 2024 a one-way system will be in place northbound along South Drive from the junction of Alexandra Park Drive up to the east roundabout to enable the contractor to setup the site and construct the Net Zero Energy Centre. This one-way system will be in place until the project completes in Spring 2027.

From Monday 4 November a new entrance will be created from George Fox Avenue into George Fox car park. The contractor will create a compound on the east side of the main car park. The west side of George Fox car park will remain in use for staff parking using the new entrance/exit from George Fox Avenue.

From Thursday 28 August – Wednesday 29 October, the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework outside Lonsdale College accommodation and on Barker House Avenue, outside Barker House Farm.

The contractor will start work at Lonsdale College courtyard and move south towards Barker House Avenue.

• Pedestrian access routes in and around Lonsdale College accommodation will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes. Access into the accommodation and courtyards will be maintained at all times, with accessible diversion routes in place and ramps over trenches where required.
• Bin stores 52 and 53 will be closed.
• There will be some access restrictions along Barker House Avenue during the work. Parking spaces and the bin store to the rear of Barker House Farm will remain open. Access will remain open for bin collections and deliveries; however, there may be times when they will be restricted or need to be agreed with the Facilities team.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

From Thursday 14 August until Wednesday 8 October, the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will start work on the installation of the district heating pipework between Cartmel and Graduate family flats.

• The shared outdoor space and all pedestrian access routes between the accommodation will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes. Access to the accommodation and outdoor patio areas will be maintained at all times.
• 12 parking spaces, including one accessible parking space on Barker House Avenue will be closed during the work, but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

From Tuesday 5 August – Tuesday 16 September 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the replacement of the boilers and pipework connections in the plant room on the top floor of Wennington House 37, Lonsdale. From Friday 24 October – Thursday 20 November 2025 the contractor will then start the external pipework installation works in the local area.

• Vital Energi contractors will be accessing the communal stairwells but won’t need access to any student flats.
• Access in and out of all accommodation in Wennington House will be maintained, however there may be some short, temporary closures while deliveries take place.
• For the external works from Friday 24 October – Thursday 20 November the footpath alongside Wennington House will be fenced off to allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network into the plantroom. Diversion signage will be in place, and access into all storerooms will be maintained.
• 4 parking bays will be out of use on Lonsdale South Avenue behind Wennington House during this work to enable the contractor to make deliveries.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.
• There will be a one-time, eight-hour shutdown of hot water in Wennington House during the replacement of the boilers. This will take place between 8.30am – 5pm on Tuesday 19 August.

From Tuesday 8 July – Monday 18 August 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the replacement of the boilers and pipework connections in the plantroom of Lonsdale House. From Friday 10 October – Thursday 6 November 2025 the contractor will then start the external pipework installation works in the local area.

• Access in and out of Lonsdale House will be maintained, however there may be some short, temporary closures while deliveries take place. Vital Energi contractors may also use the main stairwells at times to access the plantroom.

• 4 parking bays will be out of use on the lane off Alexandra Park Drive behind Lonsdale House during this work to enable the contractor to make deliveries.

• For the external works from Friday 10 October – Thursday 6 November the footpath in between Lonsdale House and Whittington House 34 will be fenced off to allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network into the plantroom. Diversion signage will be in place, and all building entrances will be maintained.

• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

• There will be a one-time, eight-hour shutdown of hot water in Lonsdale House during the replacement of the boilers. This will take place between 8.30am – 5pm on Tuesday 22 July.

From Tuesday 1 July – Monday 11 August 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the replacement of the boilers and pipework connections in the plant room on the top floor of Barnoldswick House 29, Pendle. From 24 September – 21 October 2025 the contractor will then start the external pipework installation works in the local area.

• Vital Energi contractors will be accessing the communal stairwells but won’t need access to any student flats.
• Access in and out of all accommodation in Barnoldswick House 29 will be maintained, however there may be some short, temporary closures while deliveries take place.
• 5 parking bays will be out of use on Alexandra Park Drive behind Barnoldswick during this work to enable the contractor to make deliveries. The accessible parking bays will be unaffected.
• For the external works from 24 September 21 October the footpath in between Barnoldswick and Easedale will be fenced off to allow the installation and connection of the District Heating Network into the plantroom.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.

From Tuesday 1 July to Friday 19 September the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework along Graduate Avenue, East Lane, and outside Barker House Farm.

The work will be carried out in separate phases to reduce disruption.

• A section of Graduate Avenue, East Lane, and the grass area adjacent to Barker House Farm will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes.
• Some pedestrian access routes will also be fenced off and there will be diversions in place. Access into accommodation buildings will be maintained at all times, with ramps over trenches where required.
• An alternative accessible route to the Barker House Farm main entrance will be in place and a section of the steps adjacent to the entrance will be out of use.
• Bin store 50 and the adjacent secure cycle storage will be closed in August.
• Bin store 57 will be closed from August – September. A temporary bin store will be located at Graduate Square.
• Access to the Alexandra Park laundrette will remain open.
• Work will commence from 8.30am - 5pm and will be noisy at times. The project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.