Tarmac re-pour for M3

Tarmac is blaming changes in its cement supply for its problems with concrete on a bridge over the River Itchen - part of its œ45m contract to build the extension to the M3 at Twyford Down.

Tarmac is to remove and then re-pour 45m of concrete surfacing on the southbound slab after doubts arose as to 'the total integrity of the material' used .

Tarmac said: 'The concrete pour for this bridge came after the site concrete batching plant had been dismantled and the material had to be transported from a plant elsewhere in the region. Coinciding with the change...our cement supplier changed his source of cement which added technical difficulties to the production of this mix and subsequently difficulties arose on this particular pour due to the lack of workability of the concrete.'