May Gurney has won the contract to maintain and improve Britain’s canals and rivers.

Following a competitive tender process, May Gurney has won the contract to maintain and improve Britain’s canals and rivers.

The integrated support and construction services company has now signed a four-year framework contract with British Waterways for the maintenance and improvement of its canals and rivers. 

The contract, with a possible two-year extension, is estimated to be worth around £20 million per annum.

Effective from April 2009, it includes a range of maintenance and improvement activities across approximately 80 to 150 projects each year.

Covering British Waterways’ 2,200 mile network in England, Wales and Scotland, May Gurney will conduct repairs to 200 year-old locks, bridges, aqueducts, weirs, reservoirs, tunnels, towpaths, embankments and cuttings.

Whilst the major works contract excludes spend on waterways dredging, May Gurney is also likely to deliver a number of additional third party funded canal improvement projects on behalf of British Waterways and its partners.

Jim Stirling, Technical Director at British Waterways, said: “British Waterways cares for the third largest collection of listed structures in Britain and our waterways are today enjoying a renaissance in popularity and use. 

“This contract with May Gurney continues to support our in-house team and ensure that we continue to maximise the money that we have available to spend on waterways upkeep.”

Commenting on the win, Philip Fellowes-Prynne, Chief Executive at May Gurney said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract with British Waterways.  It demonstrates our success at building strong long-term customer relationships and cements our position as a leading provider of maintenance and improvement services to the public sector. 

“Moreover, it testifies to the strength of our sales pipeline that, together with our record order book of £1.25 billion, gives us much confidence for the future.  Our team is really looking forward to a long and successful relationship with British Waterways.”