THE region’s construction sector has been given fresh hope as Northumbrian Water is inviting bids for a £400m framework agreement covering repair and maintenance of water distribution networks in the North East, Essex and Suffolk.

It is the latest in a string of frameworks over recent years, with contractors having to bid separately for eight tranches of work, which include various mains repairs, maintenance, renewals, diversions and extensions.

Contracts from Northumbrian Water have been a lifeline to many construction companies over recent years as the recession has led to many of its traditional markets drying up, particularly those in the private sector.

Both building and demolition specialist Owen Pugh, based near Cramlington, and Esh Group’s construction firm Lumsden and Carroll, based in County Durham, have work from Northumbrian Water which currently makes up around 12% of their turnover.

Northumbrian Water has supported the region’s construction market for a number of years and is currently coming to the end of a project to refurbish 5,431km of cast iron water pipes, which was started in 1990.