MEDIA RELEASE: 19 | 07 | 2018

Picture available

Caption: 1. Michael Hall, left, and Richard Woods, from BBOWT, at the Lanes Utilities central hub in Slough, Berkshire.2. Lanes Utilities volunteers picking plastic waste and litter on behalf of Thames21 along the River Thames in Staines, Surrey.

Water utility specialist backs investment in wildlife

Water utility specialist Lanes Group plc has become an Investor in Wildlife to support the protection of wildlife and wild spaces across London and the Thames Valley.

The Investors in Wildlife initiative is managed by 46 charitable wildlife trusts across the UK to encourage businesses and organisations to actively support wildlife conservation.

Lanes Utilities, part of Lanes Group plc, the UK's largest independent drainage specialist, has become an Investor in Wildlife for the London Wildlife Trust and the Berks, Bucks, and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
 
Lanes Utilities delivers wastewater network maintenance services for Thames Water, which is also an Investor in Wildlife. It is making annual donations to the wildlife trusts and has pledged to take part in other paid-for activities.
 
It has mainenance hubs in Slough, Berkshire; Beckton, East London; Gerrards Cross and Iver, in Buckinghamshire; Kidlington, in Oxfordshire; and Rye Meads, in Hertfordshire.

Richard Woods, Corporate Development Officer for BBOWT, said: "Having the support of companies like Lanes Utilities makes a huge difference to us. The financial backing, alone, allows us to do so much more.

"Lanes are up there with the best of them in terms of the commitment they are showing to wildlife protection. Working alongside Thames Water, they are at the sharp end in terms of preventing pollution and protecting the environment so having their support will be extremely useful."

Michael Hall, Head of Operations at Lanes Utilities, said: "As the UK's largest wastewater network services (WNS) maintenance operation, we're acutely aware of our responsibility to protect wildlife.

"That's why we're delighted to be an Investor in Wildlife for the two main Wildlife Trusts in our region. Being involved will enrich our understanding of wildlife conservation.

"It will also help us as a company, and our people, to act as good citizens, enhancing sustainability and sharing expertise that will help many others do the same.

"Investors in Wildlife gives us access to Wild Work Days where our people can volunteer to support wildlife conservation projects that will also help us build team working skills.

"We are also already taking part in networking events with other Investor in Wildlife members where we can share best practice and explore ways to work together on wildlife protection."

Lanes Utilties carries out more than 1,100 drain and sewer maintenance jobs a day for Thames Water's 15 million wastewater customers. These include drain and sewer unblocking, pollution prevention, sewer repairs, and sewer rehabilitation.

Its teams consider and seek to minimise their potential impact on wildlife, for example, by controlling flood lighting and noise when working at night to minimise disturbance of mammals and birds.

Volunteers from Lanes Utilities, and other Lanes companies, also support Thames21, which works with communities to clean and improve rivers and canals across Greater London for people and wildlife.

Lanes Group:www.lanesfordrains.co.uk

Ends

PR Contact:Andy Comber
Telephone: 01952 883526
Mobile: 07889 630440
Email: ac@matm.co.uk

About Lanes Group

Lanes Group plc is a national wastewater and drainage solutions provider. It sits at the heart of the drainage industry in the UK and Ireland, and is serious about delivering excellence in service, safety and innovation.

The company has a network of 32 depots and strategic utility hubs, providing high quality utility, drainage, and maintenance services for commercial, public sector and domestic customers. 

Specialist market sectors include water utilities, construction, energy, rail, highways, insurance and commercial maintenance.