Drainage services provider has secured a £1m contract with Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports that will see 20 jobs created. Tony McDonough reports

Port of Liverpool owner Peel Ports has awarded a £1m contract to commercial drainage services provider Metro Rod that will see the creation of 20 new jobs.

Metro Rod secured the contract to deliver a comprehensive drainage mapping and maintenance plan at the port. The six-month project forms part of an eight-year-long contract, with the potential to work across other Peel Ports Group estates.

It will see Metro Rod undertake an extensive drain mapping of the port’s drainage network, providing CAD drawings to reflect the intricate layout. These will be used to commission a series of CCTV drainage surveys which will assess the conditions of the system before a large scale cleaning plan is implemented and delivered.

Metro Rod has delivered similar services to a number of industrial and commercial clients. Typically operating as a franchise network, Metro Rod also has the facility to take on large-scale projects outside of its usual model.

It has invested heavily in additional equipment and employed 20 new operatives – 20% of which are ex-services personnel – to satisfy the requirements of the project. Once the programme has been delivered, Metro Rod will look to, wherever possible, re-deploy engineers into its network.

Peter Molloy, managing director of Metro Rod, said: “Through this contract with Peel Ports Group, we’ve been able to offer a wealth of new employment opportunities to people in Merseyside at a time when the country faces major economic challenges.

“Additionally, Peel Ports Group has recognised the essential nature of a business like ours, which is fundamental to ensuring the country’s drainage systems always perform at optimum levels. It again demonstrates that Metro Rod can deliver sophisticated and complex drainage solutions. 

Ron Hunter, group director, environment, health and safety at Peel Ports Group, added: “Metro Rod has demonstrated clear plans and commitment to invest in people and equipment to strategically align with our objectives and values. 

“Throughout our discussions with them, they’ve exhibited an openness, honesty and a collaborative approach to ensure the work required at our Liverpool site is done in a collaborative and proactive manner. We look forward to working together.”