Drainage and wastewater service specialist Lanes Group has been named as a finalist in the specialist contractor of the year category for the CN Specialists Awards.

The awards, organised by Construction News magazine, recognise outstanding service delivered by specialist contractors to the construction industry.

It is the latest in a series of award successes for Lanes Group, its teams and colleagues, who have been shortlisted in three other national awards in the last two months and won an award in a fourth.

Lanes Group Business Development Director Colin Mackay said: “This latest shortlisting success, and the others that have been announced, are just recognition for our teams for the excellent service they deliver.

“Our company is going through a period of strong growth, which is accompanied by a transformation programme centred on the business being able to sustainably deliver world class service for customers across all business sectors.

“Being chosen as a finalist in the CN Specialists Awards as the large specialist contractor of the year reflects our investment in people, technologies, and innovation to give our construction clients the safe, agile and consistently excellent service they need.”

In its submission, Lanes Group could point to a series of service initiatives and developments, backed by record levels of investment over the last 18 months, that have enhanced its services to the building industry.

They include continued investment in its drainage surveying capabilities, with the growth of its national CCTV survey processing centre, new data analysis software, and roll-out of a new fleet of next-generation survey vans.

The company’s sewer lining and rehabilitation division has also developed the use of a drainage pipe spray lining system that was instrumental in successfully repairing a section of the M3 motorway that was at risk from subsidence.

Lanes Group has also pioneered the development of a new fast-track, low-cost and low-carbon access chamber rehabilitation service for water companies that uses asphalt made with recycled tyres.

Reorganised operational and business development teams, supported by improved digital work planning systems, are helping deliver Lanes Group’s unrivalled resources when and where they are needed, for construction projects of all sizes.

For example, the Lanes Chester depot, one of 20 across the UK, led a comprehensive drainage rehabilitation programme during the renovation of a large hotel in Shropshire, including surveying, drain patch lining, excavation and asset replacement.

Tracy Taylor, Project Manager, at client Bridgewater Group, said: “The expertise, professionalism and meticulous attention to detail of Lanes Group’s teams contributed significantly to the success of the project. Their deep knowledge and effective communication were invaluable in navigating the complexities of the work.”

Lanes Group is also a pioneer in using telematics systems to improve road and worksite safety, involving more than 2,600 specialist vehicles.

It is one of only a few companies to have a dedicated digital fleet monitoring team, using the Samsara system. During 2024, this helped reduce collisions by 50%, speeding by 24% and distraction driving by 92%.

It also resulted in Lanes Group winning the Best Driver Risk Management Performance Award at the Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2025.

The company has also been named as a finalist in three other national awards – Water Industry Awards (two categories), Women in Utilities Awards (five categories), and British Training Awards (two categories) – with winners being announced at ceremonies in the coming weeks.

Lanes Group will now give a presentation to judges for the CN Specialists Awards, before winners are announced at an awards ceremony held in London on 2^nd September 2025.