The first major fleet order of new Vauxhall Combo vans has been supplied to Anglian Water. The company, which is the largest water and wastewaster service in England and Wales by geographic area, will take delivery of 52 new Combos for its water and sewage operators and technical staff.

The new Combos specified by Anglian Water are the 1.3 CDTi L2H1 model with long wheelbase and standard height roof, providing an impressive load area of 4.2 cubic metres and a one-tonne gross payload. The 1.3-litre diesel engine returns a combined fuel economy figure of 55.4mpg and emits just 136g/km CO2.

Specialist vehicle converter Bott has fitted out the 52 new Combos to Anglian Water's own specification.

Anglian Water serves a region stretching from the Humber north of Grimsby to the Thames estuary in the south, and from Buckinghamshire in the west to Lowestoft in the east. Its operators have to service 80,000km of water and wastewater pipes over an area of 27,500 square kilometres, so the demands on its fleet of vans are significant.

Nigel Allen, Anglian Water's fleet manager, said: "The new Combo will be a great addition to our fleet. We run around 1,200 vans and continue to be very happy with the combination of whole life cost, reliability, purchase cost and aftersales service offered by Vauxhall."

Richard Collier, national commercial vehicle sales manager, commented: "The new Combo order continues a long-established relationship between our two companies. We are delighted that Anglian Water will be receiving the first fleet order for new Combo and are confident they will serve their operators well."