Outsourced dredging contract

BRITISH Waterways have outsourced its dredging contract to the marine-based civil engineer Land & Water Services Ltd,  with a contract from next month to March 2015.

We are told the forecast is to increase dredging in each of the next two financial years to £5m, and that the award of a single national contract to Land & Water will allow BW to deliver more dredging for the investment available.

Leeds & Liverpool

Whilst still to be finalised, 2011 dredging priorities are likely to include the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Farnhill and Bingley, stretches of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal and the Aylesbury Arm of The Grand Union Canal.

Ian Marmont, National Dredging Manager at BW, comments:

"Funding in the public and charitable sectors over the next few years is going to be particularly tight and we must ensure that we get the absolute maximum benefit from the money available. With plans to prioritise spend on dredging in each of the next two years, this national contract with Land & Water is welcome news for the waterways and those that use and enjoy them."

James Maclean, Managing Director of Land & Water Services Ltd relates:

"This single-source contract award is a reflection of the long-term partnership we have been developing and investing in with British Waterways for more than 15 years. We have always believed in the philosophy of ‘working together' and we welcome the incentives in our new contract to find ever-greater efficiencies, increase recycling opportunities, and reduce the environmental impact of our joint operations."