The framework contract for the Environment Agency 鈥� the first of its type for Costain 鈥� covers a wide variety of services, from routine inspections and maintenance of waterways to providing fast-response teams to handle incidents and minor asset repairs.
鈥淭he contract fits nicely within the Costain Cares model,鈥� said water sector technical director Anthony Watson, who managed the successful bid and is responsible for the customer relationship. 鈥淐ostain will be working collaboratively with the Environment Agency.鈥� The framework contract calls for Costain to have a team at the site of a problem within 90 minutes of receiving an instruction to assist.
Personnel will be on 24-hour standby, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and it is anticipated there will be at least one out-of-hours call per week 鈥� more at times of severe weather. A particular aspect of the contract is response to flooding.#
More regular activities will include the visual inspection of structures, defences and channels, with any debris or excess vegetation being cleared as required.
The four-year contract began this summer.