Anglian Water has awarded the contracts for it's AMP8/9 Major Projects Framework contract with a total estimated value of up to £1.8 billion (inc VAT).
The water company went out to formal tender in February 2026 following an early market engagement process to establish a framework agreement with up to two partners to undertake design and construction of major projects to support delivery of its AMP8 capital programme. They could be design-and-construct organisations or a joint venture of capable partners with proven experience in delivering portfolios of magnitude.
Each successful bidding entity was required to have the capability and capacity to deliver all aspects of the design and construction activities set out within the scope of the framework agreement. This included the appropriate supply chain ecosystem to support delivery of projects.
The framework will cover a diverse mix of work, including Civil engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation (MEICA), Green and traditional Civil engineering and Process technology.
Anglian Water has reserved the right to expand the scope of works under the framework agreement to respond to evolving regulatory, environmental, and programme needs. Options may include:
- Geographic Expansion: Inclusion of additional areas or project sites within or adjacent to Anglian’s existing regions.
- Technology and Innovation: Adoption of new and emerging technologies to enhance the quality and efficiency of works.
The first projects under the framework agreement will include the water company’s AMP8 coastal water improvement projects valued at over £400 million, which involves major projects to reduce storm spills and bacteriological factors impacting coastal waters. The framework is also intended to be used for subsequent major projects in AMP8 and AMP9, including enabling growth and environmental improvements.
Schemes will include catchment-wide, place-based investment programmes in key seaside spots, including Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and Southend in Essex, with nature-based solutions, such as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). Across both catchments, over £150 million will be invested to capture 190 million litres of excess flows during heavy rainfall so they can be fully treated.
In eight other priority areas – including King’s Lynn, Boston, and several sites in Suffolk – the water company will be investing over £250 million to protect and enhance water quality by reducing storm spills and carrying out bacteriological reductions.
Commenting when the contract was tendered, Jason Tucker, Director of Commercial Operations for Anglian Water, said:
“Over the past 20 years we have nurtured a mature supply chain with incredible partners, delivering billions of pounds of investment in successive AMPs. This new framework will bring on new expert partners, alongside our Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) and existing delivery routes, such as our industry-leading @one alliance, Strategic Pipeline Alliance and Integrated Operational Solutions (IOS) Alliance, to ensure we have the highly specialist delivery skills required for these coastal schemes”.
Boosting Anglian’s alliancing model
The procurement ihas been delivered outside Anglian Water’s existing delivery routes to protect current delivery capacity and introduce additional capability for AMP8 and beyond. The framework will enable Early Contractor Involvement, fostering collaboration from the outset and ensuring efficient, cost-effective delivery.
Andy Alder, Managing Director of Major Infrastructure, said the new Major Projects Framework had has been designed to enable collaboration across design and construction, bringing together partners with major project delivery experience and technical capability needed to deliver complex, high value projects across the water sector.
The following companies have been awarded contracts under the framework:
Contract 1
- Ferrovial Construction (UK) Ltd
- MWH Treatment Ltd
Contract 2
- VolkerStevin Infrastructure Ltd
- VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd
Award decision date was 17 August 2026, standstill period ends on 26 August 2026 and the earliest date the contract will be signed is 27 August 2026.
Current estimated start and end contract dates are 27 August 2026 to 26 August 2031 with a further possible extension to 26 August 2036.
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