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 2 April – Friday 11 July 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework from outside County Main plant room across County Avenue and up to County South Anglezarke (building number 75).

• 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 enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new District Heating pipework.
• The work may be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative student study space if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• The bin store will be temporarily relocated to the east end of County Avenue.
• The secure bike parking will remain open for use.
• Two accessible parking spaces at the west end of County Avenue will be temporarily out of use during the works, however two additional accessible parking spaces will be created on the south side of County Avenue.
• Access to County South kitchens from County Avenue will remain open for deliveries except for Saturday 12 April when the road will be completely closed, excavated, and new district heating pipework installed. The Avenue will re-open on Monday 15 April.

From Thursday 31 July until Friday 12 September 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.

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 Friday 13 June until Tuesday 12 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 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 Wednesday 21 May until Monday 7 July the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will start work on the installation of the district heating pipework along South Drive adjacent to InfoLab.

• The southbound lane of South Drive will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes.
• One lane northbound will remain open at all times.
• Staff parking spaces on both sides of the road from the pedestrian crossing will be closed during the work but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• The drop off area and Visitor parking outside InfoLab will remain open.
• The work will be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

From Tuesday 15 April until Friday 6 June the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will move further north and start work on the installation of the district heating pipework along South East Drive between Furness Avenue and Tower Avenue, and alongside the Underpass road within the grass verge.

• The northbound lane on South East Drive will be fenced off and a one-way system in place from south to north campus up to the Underpass roundabout.
• Access to South East Drive, George Fox Avenue, Fylde Avenue, Furness Avenue and Tower Avenue will only be accessible from South Drive.
• One lane of Tower Avenue will remain open at all times with traffic lights in place, maintaining access during the work.
• Furness Avenue will be fully open during the work.
• Parking bays on both sides of South East Drive will be taken out of use between Furness Avenue and the Underpass roundabout but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• The bus stop at the end of Tower Avenue will be temporarily out of use during the work. Bus users should use the Underpass bus stop.
• There will be minor pedestrian diversions in place.
• The work will be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

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 4 September until Thursday 16 October the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework from South Avenue to Cartmel West Avenue.

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.

From Monday 1 September until Thursday 23 October the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework at Cartmel College.

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.

From Thursday 14 August until Thursday 25 September the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework at Lonsdale College.

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.

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 17 June until Wednesday 10 September the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework along Graduate Lane and South Avenue.

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.

Following the completion of the installation of the first section of district heating pipework in Graduate Square, the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will move further west and start work along North Avenue and Alexandra Park Boulevard from Monday 19 May until Tuesday 8 July 2025.

• North Avenue, Alexandra Park Boulevard and a section of Lonsdale College courtyard will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes. Diversion signage will be in place along pedestrian routes. Access into accommodation buildings will be maintained at all times, with ramps over trenches where required.
• Access will be closed along the footpath from Alexandra Park Drive to North Avenue.
• Access will be temporarily closed along the footpath from Lonsdale College courtyard to the accommodation quad for a five day period towards the end of June.
• Bin stores 52 and 53 will be closed during the works, the alternative bin stores are bin stores 44, 45 and 46 at the end of Lonsdale Avenue and bin store 54 on North Avenue.
• The Pendle and Lonsdale College secure cycle storage will remain open for use.
• The footpath from Graduate South Avenue to Graduate College courtyard remains closed. The contractor is working to reopen the footpath by Friday 30 May.
• The work will be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative study spaces if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

From Wednesday 16 April – Tuesday 3 June 2025 the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the district heating pipework in Graduate Square. The contractor will look to reduce the overall timescales of the work where possible.

• Access will be closed along West Avenue from bin store 54 to the Bassenthwaite House (building 1) entrance. Diversion signage and Heras fencing will be in place to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new District Heating pipework.
• Access will be closed along the footpath from West Avenue into the Pendle accommodation quad.
• The work may be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative study space if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• Bin store 54 will remain accessible and open for use.
• The secure bike parking will remain open for use.

From Thursday 27 March – Friday 23 May the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will start work on the installation of the district heating pipework along the side of Alexandra Park Drive and the footpath between House 30 (Easdale Tarn) and House 29 (Barnoldswick) up to North Avenue.

• Alexandra Park Drive will remain open during the work.
• Access to House 30 (Easdale Tarn) and House 29 (Barnoldswick) will be maintained at all times, however the footpath between House 30 and House 29 will be fenced off and diversions will be in place to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes.
• The work may be noisy at times, the project webpages list alternative study space if required.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• Bin stores and bike stores will remain open for use.
• 13 parking bays along Alexandra Park Drive will be taken out of use but will be reopened as soon as the work completes.
• Two accessible parking bays will be permanently relocated close to the Lonsdale College bus stop on Alexandra Park Drive along with additional line marking improvements.
• The Taxi Rank on Alexandra Park Drive will cease to operate from this location on a permanent basis.

From Monday 27 January until Friday 30 May the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will start the first phase of work to install the new district heating pipework at Alexandra Park.

• All pedestrian access routes through Graduate College courtyard will be fenced off to enable the contractor to safely dig trenches for the installation of new pipes. Access into Graduate College accommodation will be maintained at all times, with ramps over trenches where required.
• This work will be noisy at times and there will be diversions in place.
• Working hours are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
• Bicycle storage on East Avenue outside House 6 (Coniston) will be out of use during this work.
• Bin store 54 will remain open throughout the work.
• Some parking spaces have been taken out of use on Alexandra Park, Visitor car park J for a compound to store materials during the works.