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News & Media > Waterways Services

13:04:2010

Integrated team delivers British Waterways' project

A joint May Gurney Waterways Services and Utilities Services team has been assembled to deliver a job for British Waterways, adjacent to the Olympic Park in east London.

City Mill Lock, which is located adjacent to the Olympic Park development at Stratford in east London, had been disused for around 30 years until new lock gates were installed five years ago as part of a residential development scheme. Now, as part of the wider area regeneration in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, British Waterways is completing the refurbishment by installing the lock automation.

May Gurney Utility Services’ M&E (Mechanical & Electrical) division is carrying out the project which requires the installation of six electric linier gate actuators, four electric paddle actuators and all the associated control equipment that will allow boaters to operate the lock in the correct sequence.

At the same time, as part of British Waterways’ ongoing programme to improve lock safety, the existing lock ladders are being replaced and extended and additional fendering is being fitted to the six lock gates.

Accommodation around the Olympic Park is in short supply and therefore also expensive. To overcome this problem, Rod Gordon, M&E manager who is in charge of the contract – and also a keen canal enthusiast - came up with the idea of using his canal boat as an accommodation unit. This solution has the added benefit of eliminating travelling time and reducing the project team’s carbon footprint.

Rod has subsequently delivered the boat to site, which he built from scratch and fitted out himself, in time for the work to commence on schedule.

Footnote: May Gurney holds a four-year framework contract with British Waterways for the maintenance and improvement of its canals and rivers. The contract, which includes a possible two-year extension, is estimated to be worth around £20m per annum and covers a range of maintenance and improvement activities across approximately 80 to 150 projects each year. Click here to read more about May Gurney's work in partnership with British Waterways.