Utility company United Utilities has extended the AMP4 framework contract with a joint-venture comprising Costain, Atkins and Galliford Try to cover the next upgrade phase for the water industry.The extension for the AMP5 framework will run from 2010 to 2015 and consists of £400m of capital works in the north west of England, most of which will be improvements to existing water processing plants. Costain said its share of the £400m contract is around £180m.The original contract commenced in 2005 with responsibility for implementing United Utilities non infrastructure capital delivery works programme in its southern area.“With the renewal process for AMP contracts now underway across the water industry, this appointment reinforces our position as one of the sector's leading contractors,” claimed chief executive of Galliford Try, Greg Fitzgerald.