ARC faces œ300K fine on M26

Contractor ARC could face œ300,000 in penalties on a delayed lane rental maintenance contract on the M26 in Kent.

The œ4.6 million contract involves removal of worn out material and laying a new surface between Junction 5 (the M26/M25 link) and Junction 2A (Dunton Green railway bridge).

ARC's original completion date for the 11-week project, starting on 18 April, was 3 July. But the Department of Transport granted an additional 11- day extension for 'unforeseen circumstances' and a further two days for adverse weather conditions.

A DoT spokesman told CJ this week: 'That brings completion to 16 July - so from 17 July on, the contractor will be liable to a œ20,000-a-day fine. Work is currently scheduled for completion at the end of July.'

The 15 days extra will cost œ300,000 if ARC cannot prove it is owed extra time on the scheme.

An ARC spokesman said: 'The DoT proposes charging us for 15 extra days.

'But there is no agreement on this yet and there is ongoing discussion.'

The DoT says its lane rental policy has proved one-third faster than conventional contracts.