Design & Build, Consultancy and Early Contractor Involvement
Build smarter. Design better.
We bring real-world thinking to every stage of your waterway project.
Contract services
Our Design & Build, Consultancy and Early Contractor Involvement Services
Successful projects involving water begin long before construction starts. At The Rothen Group, we combine practical construction expertise with engineering consultancy to deliver smarter, more efficient solutions from concept through to completion.
With hands-on experience delivering design and build solutions for canal and river infrastructure projects across the UK, we understand that good design starts with knowing how things work on site. Our teams work alongside clients from the earliest stages of a project, providing the technical knowledge and practical insight needed to develop solutions that are buildable, cost-effective and resilient.
We support every stage of project development, from feasibility studies, site investigations and topographical surveys through to detailed design, structural calculations, planning support and construction. Whether you're delivering a new access platform, upgrading canal infrastructure or undertaking riverbank improvements, we provide a seamless service that keeps design and delivery aligned. Often our clients are land based and when they purchase a site with something 'blue' in or along it they panic! We help them understand how to get the most cost effective solution that will tick the boxes for planners, permitting agents (CRT/EA) and buildability and guide them through what working on water looks like.
Unlike the traditional procurement model, where designers and contractors often work independently, our approach integrates construction expertise from the outset. Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) enables us to become part of the project team during the feasibility and design stages, rather than after key decisions have already been made. This collaborative approach helps identify opportunities to improve buildability, reduce programme risks, optimise costs and avoid unnecessary redesign later in the project.
By involving experienced contractors early, clients benefit from decades of practical knowledge gained through delivering complex civil engineering and waterway projects. Potential challenges can be identified before they become costly problems, while innovative solutions can be developed collaboratively with designers and stakeholders.
Our longstanding relationships with organisations including the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency help ensure projects are practical, compliant and deliverable. If requirements change, we adapt quickly. If challenges arise, we work collaboratively to find solutions. The result is a joined-up approach that provides continuity, reduces risk and delivers better outcomes from the very beginning of your project.
Planning a project? Contact The Rothen Group to discuss our flexible design and build support.
Dredging
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Gallery
FEATURED CASE STUDY
Habitat Creation Coney Meadows, Droitwich
Coney Meadows is part of a nationwide project to restore the UK’s wetlands. Since the 17th century, large areas of reedbeds have been stripped and converted into agricultural land, massively reducing the number of habitats available for wetland animals.
FEATURED CASE STUDY
Changing the Shape of the River Derwent, Derby
Following the storm seasons of 2023 & 2024, the EA set out to review its impact on the UK’s waterways. The River Derwent in Derby was flagged after a sonar scan of its navigation identified a scour hole – a direct result of heavy rainfall pushing sediment downstream.
With decades of combined experience, we’ve worked on almost every kind of canal and river project. We’ve built canal and river infrastructure, from new lock gates to access stairways, and implemented bank repairs and towpath resurfacing. You name – we’ve done it.
Whether you need a full design and build to support on a specific stage, we tailor our services to your project.
What types of projects do you offer design and build support for?
ECI allows us to be involved from the very start — helping you with site investigations, topographical surveys, and feasibility studies for inland waterway engineering projects. It’s our preferred option. When we’re involved from the beginning, we can bring our experience and insights to help avoid potential pitfalls further down the line. That covers everything from ecological problems to fundamental design issues.
We believe that early input saves time and reduces costs for our clients.
What does early contractor involvement (ECI) mean?
Yes. We regularly liaise with the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the Environment Agency (EA) to ensure our designs meet regulatory requirements and are approved efficiently. We’re highly familiar with their rules and regulations – allowing us to tailor projects, plans, and more directly to them.
We can also advise on permits, licences, and compliance. We can guide you through the application process, removing much of the administrative headache.
Can you help with CRT and EA approvals?
Yes. We can develop detailed structural calculations for canal works, embankments, piling, and other waterway features. This crucial infrastructure is vital to the success and safety of a waterway, so the right numbers are essential.
We can carry out these calculations either in-house or in collaboration with trusted engineering partners. What matters most is that your concerns are relieved and the infrastructure is safe and secure.
Do you offer structural design and calculations?
Not at all. We support small and large projects alike — whether it’s a single mooring, a short towpath section, or a full waterway redevelopment. Nor do we exclusively work on public projects. We’ve helped private marinas build up their infrastructure alongside long-term projects with local councils. We’re happy to offer our services whenever they’re needed.
Do you only work on large-scale projects?
That depends on the project – obviously the larger and more complex the project is, the longer it takes to complete the design and building.
A small waterway repair or platform build might be completed in just a few weeks, including surveys and designs. On the other hand, a large-scale project—especially one requiring approvals from the Canal & River Trust or Environment Agency—can take several months, including time for design, consultation, and permitting. We’ll always provide a clear timeline at the start and adapt quickly if anything changes. Early contractor involvement helps speed things up.
How long does the design and build process typically take?
FAQ
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Our Accreditations
about us
A decade of
The Rothen Group
The Rothen Group is a leading provider of practical infrastructure solutions for the UK’s inland waterways. From canal design and build to full-scale project delivery, we combine engineering know-how with deep experience in waterway environments.
Our team works closely with contractors, navigation authorities, and private clients to deliver structures that are safe, efficient, and buildable. Whether you're at the planning stage or ready to break ground, we offer the design, insight, and flexibility needed for successful waterway restoration projects.
