DrainsAid was successful at the Yorkshire Water Partner Awards 2007/08 held on 2nd July 2008 at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds..
The category was Service+ and awarded for the Customer First initiative. The Customer First initiative has helped remove some unnecessary delays from the process of problem resolution in the eyes of the customer. By training and equipping DrainsAid technicians to undertake much of the investigation work done by Yorkshire Water technicians, problems could be identified and resolved in one visit. The cost and time savings, as well as reduced disruption to the customer ensured this was a win-win initiative.
29/01/2008 - A winning team
AIRE ACTION LEEDS SCOOPS TOP AWARD A partnership scheme in Leeds, Aire Action Leeds, has won the Partnership Project of the Year Award in Leeds City Council’s Community & City Pride Awards 2007, which were unveiled at an awards ceremony last Friday by BBC Look North weather presenter, Paul Hudson.
Aire Action Leeds, a river management partnership, was recognised for coordinating a clean up event between its partners; British Waterways, the Environment Agency, Leeds City Council and Yorkshire Water, with help from Peter Duffy’s, 3b Waste Solutions and West Yorkshire Police. The spring clean improved the appearance of the River Aire and demonstrated that the partners can work together and provide great benefits for the waterways and their waterfront, making them a better place for communities to use.
The spring clean focused on an area along the River Aire between Kirkstall Abbey and Thwaite Gate, with over 50 people taking part. The clean up involved vegetation management, removing graffiti, clean ups for debris and litter along the river, river banks and towpaths. The day turned out to be a tremendous success with a vast array of materials being collected, including:
• 30 bin bags of recyclable plastics and cans, plus 10 sacks of recyclable glass; • 270 bin bags; • 18 tonnes of waste; • 29 tyres; • 3 traffic cones; • 3 gas bottles; • 1 oil drum.
Recyclable debris such as tyres, drums, gas bottles and car batteries were recycled by British Waterways and Leeds City Council disposed of recyclable cans and plastics. The rest of the collected waste was successfully contained in skips which were provided as a gesture of goodwill by 3b Waste Solutions.
Aire Action Leeds Project Officer, Ruth Bull, said: “Getting employees from different business organisations to work together in partnership proved to be a great success with the clean up event along the River Aire and to be recognized for this in these awards is a great achievement for everyone involved with Aire Action Leeds.
“We’ve shown that by working in partnership we can successfully make positive environmental impacts and enhance the appearance of the waterways and their waterfront as a cleaner and greener place to visit and enjoy. The river and canals through Leeds are increasing in their value and benefits they provide to people so it’s really important we look after them.”
The partners of Aire Action Leeds are continuing to work together on various projects including the completion of a Memorandum of Understanding for debris which will encourage awareness and further focus for improvements along the waterways. This and the success of the joint spring clean could also see further clean ups between the partners take place as part of a Stewardship scheme. The partnership is also in the process of setting up three new working groups which will focus on strategic planning and policy, operational improvements and promoting the waterways and their waterfront through Leeds.
29/01/2008 - Revitalising safety 2008
The safety department has produced a new safety DVD with the assistance of local school children from Lofthouse Gate Primary School and some employees.
The DVD reminds employees of the safety initiative launched in 2004, Think Safety First. The refresh also introduces a new safety mascot Bob Careful - Mr. B. Careful. Bob will be appearing on posters reminding employees to work in a safe manner and to 'Think Safety First' every time they undertake a task.
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