Contract services
Your Waterways, Our Responsibility
Waterways don’t take care of themselves — they’re living infrastructure. Without routine maintenance, silt builds up, banks erode, and structures begin to fail. That’s why we deliver full-spectrum maintenance services for canals, rivers, locks, and marinas — tackling issues early, before they escalate.
The Rothen Group has spent decades managing, repairing, and restoring the UK’s inland waterways. From dredging and riverbank protection to lock gate repairs and welding works, we provide everything your site needs to stay clear, stable, and operational.
Whether you manage a heritage canal or a busy marina, our practical, hands-on approach keeps your water infrastructure flowing as it should.
Dredging
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Dredging
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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.
We offer maintenance services on waterways across the UK, including:
Canal Maintenance: From cracked banks and tree root damage to collapsed sections and eroded linings, we provide expert repairs to keep canals safe, functional, and flowing freely. We also restore heritage canals with care for their historical and environmental value.
River Maintenance: Rivers require continuous maintenance to prevent flooding, safeguard ecosystems, and protect infrastructure. Our skilled team handles everything from routine dredging to large-scale river repair.
Lock Maintenance: Locks are complex, high-risk assets — we maintain them to prevent costly failures and minimise downtime. From drain-downs and gate repairs to custom gate fabrication and emergency lifting, we maintain locks to the highest standard.
Riverbank Protection: Riverbanks are constantly being eroded by currents, animals, and weather. We stabilise riverbanks using sheet piling, gabions, coir matting, and bioengineering to ensure the river remains navigable and safe.
Marina Maintenance: We maintain and upgrade marinas of every size. Our services cover dredging, piling, pontoon works, and full construction. All projects are delivered with safety and precision — even in high-traffic or sensitive environments.
Welding & Fabrication: From lock ladders to custom walkways, our in-house fabrication team designs, builds, and installs durable steelwork. Our fully qualified welders and engineers can operate on-site or from our workshop using mobile welding units.
Contact us today to find out how we can maintain waterways across the UK.
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A decade of
The Rothen Group
The Rothen Group is a trusted partner for infrastructure works across the UK’s inland waterways. Alongside our piling, dredging, and bank protection services, we operate as experienced welding contractors — providing specialist support for on-site metalwork, repairs, and installations across the UK’s waterways.
From custom access ladders to canal-side steelwork, our experienced team combines technical skill with the right equipment for remote and high-risk sites. Whether we’re welding on site or fabricating in our workshop, everything we build is designed to last — and made to perform in demanding outdoor conditions.
