UNITED Utilities expects to invest £800m this financial year in delivering improvements to performance and customer service.

The company, responsible for water supplies and sewers throughout the North West, said most of the money would be spent on infrastructure renewals.

The amount is similar to last year’s investment.

Its biggest Cumbrian project is a scheme to link west Cumbria to the rest of its network via a new pipeline from Thirlmere.

This involves a new 31.6km underground water pipe between Thirlmere and Bridekirk, the construction of a new water treatment works and two new service reservoirs, as well as refurbishment of existing pipes.

BOOST: Barrow shipyard gets £1.3bn from Whitehall

In a trading update, United Utilities said that underlying profit for the first half of 2016-17 will be slightly higher than expected due to lower spending.

It has seen improvements in its performance and customer service levels during the first half, along with strong performances in areas of private sewers and pollution incidents.

READ: £40m boost to Lakes water quality

But the company said group revenue would be slightly lower than forecast due to the accounting impact of its Water Plus retail joint venture, which was completed in June.

It also completed the modernisation of its largest wastewater treatment works at Davyhulme in Greater Manchester.

United Utilities is due to announce half-year results on November 23.