FLEET Cost Management Services has been appointed to handle maintenance of British Waterways' 350-strong fleet of commercial vehicles. The fleet, mainly made up of Ford Transits and other LCVs, is used in five regions across the country for the maintenance of canals and other waterways. Vehicles are outright purchased and typically replaced every four years.

FCM, which is also handling key areas of driver administration such as issuing of tax discs and registration documents, said the deal looked set to cut the fleet's maintenance bill by 15 to 20%. It also expects to eventually take over other aspects of fleet management for British Waterways, such as acquisition and disposal of vehicles.