The University and the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, have programmed the following work to reduce disruption to our campus community as far as possible. We apologise for any disruption the work may cause you.
Last updated: Friday 5 December 2025
The project includes three elements of work. Use the tabs below to find out more. Details of the current and upcoming works and their impact on our campus can also be found below.
November 2024 - Early 2027: Construction of a new Net Zero Energy Centre on the outer edge of south east campus.
November 2024 - December 2025: Expansion of the District Heat Network.
View a district heating pipework map showing where the additional pipework will be installed across campus.
June 2025 - November 2026: Connecting buildings to the new District Heat Network. This will involve the installation of external pipework to the side of some buildings, as well as access into some buildings and plant rooms to replace boilers.
From Monday 5 January until the end of January 2026, the Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be carrying out ground investigations and district heating repairs in the north west area of Lancaster Square.
These investigations and repairs are required to locate and identify an existing fault with the District Heating leak detection system.
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently working on the installation of the external pipework and the replacement of the boilers at County Field accommodation. This work is scheduled to complete by mid-December 2025.
On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December, the final five storage tanks will be delivered as part of the Net Zero Energy Project, affecting access to campus over the weekend.
Police will escort the storage tanks from Lancaster services on the M6 to junction 33, then along the A6 through Galgate and up Bigforth Drive, the University’s main entrance. The deliveries are expected to arrive at regular intervals between 7am and 5pm, although timings are subject to change.
Due to the scale of the tanks, the load will overhang the width of Bigforth Drive when it arrives on campus during delivery.
The following travel and access changes will be in place during delivery:
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.
Once the vehicles have delivered 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. The vehicles will need to exit via the incoming lane on Bigforth Drive. This will be managed by a Police escort who will put a temporary closure in place for each trailer exit. This will take place at intervals across both days.
The storage tanks will then be installed by being craned into place individually on the same weekend.
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, will be working on the installation of the external district heating pipework at the following accommodation buildings during Michaelmas term:
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently working on the installation of the external district heating pipework at Lytham House 68 and Pilling House 69, Fylde. This work is scheduled to complete by mid-December 2025.
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently 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 until mid-January 2026 the contractor will progress the external pipework installation works.
From Tuesday 27 May 2025 to the end of January 2026 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.
From Monday 18 November 2024 a one-way system will be in place northbound along South Drive from the LENS building up to George Fox Avenue 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 2024 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.
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently working on the installation of the external district heating pipework at Lonsdale House. These works are scheduled to complete by mid-December 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, and will then progress to the external district heating pipework installation at the following accommodation buildings during the Michaelmas term:
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently working on the installation of the external district heating pipework at Barnoldswick House 29, Pendle. These works are scheduled to complete by mid-December 2025.
The Net Zero Energy Project contractor, Vital Energi, is currently working on the installation of the district heating pipework outside Lonsdale College accommodation and through to Barker House Avenue, adjacent to Barker House Farm. This work is scheduled to complete by the end of November 2025.
