OREANDA-NEWS. December 27, 2012. National Grid has awarded contracts to Balfour Beatty Utilities Service Limited, Morrison Utility Services and Skanska, to deliver investment in its four gas distribution networks over the next eight years.

Balfour Beatty has been awarded contracts to operate in National Grid’s gas distribution networks in the North West and West Midlands. An unincorporated joint venture between Morrison Utility Services and Skanska have been awarded contracts to operate in the East of England and London networks.

The contracts will come into force on 1 April 2013 and will involve working on the company’s gas mains replacement programme in addition to a number of other key activities. They will help to ensure that National Grid continues to deliver gas safely and efficiently to homes and businesses.

National Grid, together with these new partnerships, will be working to meet new targets set by Ofgem. These targets come into force on the same day as the new contract and cover the same eight year period.

National Grid, along with the new partnerships will bring renewed focus on improving safety performance, develop innovative approaches to working, and increase customer service and satisfaction.

Jonathan Callighan, Head of Strategic Partnerships at National Grid said:

“We’ve aligned these contracts to start on the same day, and to last for the same term, as our new eight year period of regulation. This will allow us to work closely with our new contractors towards very clear goals.

Our aim is to work together to continue our investment in our networks and to look at new ways of working to improve the safety and the quality of service people experience”.