TIME is running out to have your say on a planned £300 million project to install 100km of new water supply pipework through West Cumbria.

United Utilities is planning a new pipeline from Thirlmere to West Cumbria, creating up to 400 jobs.

The firm, which is currently seeking planning permission, wants to start work on the scheme next March and complete the work by 2022.

The company has had its licence to draw water from Ennerdale Water revoked to protect rare mussels.

Its permission to draw from Crummock Water, Chapel House and Overwater in West Cumbria is also due to come to an end.

The new connection would run from the reservoir, through Keswick and roughly parallel with the A591, east of Bassenthwaite Lake.

It will pass the Castle Inn at Bassenthwaite and cross the A595 to a new water treatment works plant near Blindcrake before splitting and feeding into the wider network.

The project would include a new service reservoir and valve house and Moota Hill, linked to a new pumping station at Harrot Hill near Cockermouth.

Also included are underground mains supply pipelines from the proposed water treatment works to Quarry Hill, Broughton Cross, extending into Copeland.

Changes would be made to the existing pipelines from Broughton Cross to Stainburn and from Cockermouth to Southwaite Farm.

There would be a new service reservoir and pumping station at High Leys, near Rowrah, from which the water supply would flow into the existing network at Summergrove and Kelton Fell reservoirs in Copeland.

More than 98 per cent of the planned route has been planned through fields to minimise disruption to road users.

A company spokesman said all work on roads would be scheduled for winter months to avoid peak tourist seasons.

Local councils have been consulted over access routes for construction traffic.

United Utilities plans to remain in talks with them during construction.

The proposed route of the pipeline has been designed to minimise the impact on the environment, avoiding woodland, sensitive habitats and heritage features.

A gravity-fed aqueduct will be used to bring water from Thirlmere to the new treatment works, avoiding the use of electrical pump and providing a more cost effective and environmentally sustainable result.

The scheme crosses the planning boundaries of the Lake District National Park Authority, Allerdale council and Copeland council.

Public views should be sent to Allerdale council by May 13, the national park authority by May 16 and Copeland council by May 17.