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New road work released
00:00 11 Aug 1994
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The Highways Agency has signalled an end to the summer hiatus in
roads contracts by promising to release tender documentation for 10
new projects before the end of next month.
Latest monthly figures for the value of new roadworks had fallen to only œ69 million (April) and œ49 million (May) compared with an average expected spend of around œ135 million. And as CJ went to press, tenders had yet to be invited for 16 of the 22 new starts scheduled for this year.
The Agency has denied any delay or hiatus in the flow of schemes - though it admitted that 'this year's programme may be more lumpy than usual'.
A spokeswoman said: 'We don't see this as a problem - but hopefully the 10 contracts by the end of September should reassure the industry.
But while contractors may welcome the effort to haul the roads programme back on course, there is already widespread concern that the bunching of contracts will place unnecessary pressure and costs on estimating departments.
The move also comes too late to deflect criticism that the Agency, set up in April this year to deliver the roads programme in a smoother and more cost-effective manner, is badly organised and out of touch with contractors' needs.
Richard Weston, director at Laing Civil Engineering, said: 'Basically this is good news as the hiatus was causing uncertainty and hindering our forward planning. But bidding for major schemes takes a huge resource - so with 10 contracts coming out so soon it will raise everybody's bid costs. That cannot be cost-effective for us or the Agency.'
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors director of external affairs Jim Turner said: 'The hiatus was caused mainly by the changeover from the Department of Transport to the Highways Agency which seems to be taking a long time to organise itself. Estimators have been twiddling their thumbs - and now we will get a flood of work. Furthermore many of the contracts will commence in winter which is far from ideal.'
He added that while the Agency had made an effort to improve communications with the industry, much of what had been agreed had been superseded and was now in need of updating.
NEW STARTS PLANNED FOR 1994-95œmillion
for which tender documents have yet to be issued
M1 Junction 21 - 21A widening phase117
M40 Junction 1A - 3 Widening44
A13 Wennington - Mar Dyke improvement22
A428 Bedford Southern Bypass62
A1 (M) Alconbury - Peterborough Upgrading Contract 185
A12 Hackney - M11 Contract 279
A12 Hackney - M11 Contract 331
A568 Widnes Eastern Bypass16
M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 258
M6 Junction 20 - 21A (bridge renewal)24
A19 Norton to Parkway improvement38
A34 Chieveley/ M4 Junction 13 improvement30
M25 junction 8 - 10 widening92
A30 Honiton - Exeter improvement65
M5 Junction 18 - 19 widening93
A50 Blyth Bridge - Queensway Phase 225
Latest monthly figures for the value of new roadworks had fallen to only œ69 million (April) and œ49 million (May) compared with an average expected spend of around œ135 million. And as CJ went to press, tenders had yet to be invited for 16 of the 22 new starts scheduled for this year.
The Agency has denied any delay or hiatus in the flow of schemes - though it admitted that 'this year's programme may be more lumpy than usual'.
A spokeswoman said: 'We don't see this as a problem - but hopefully the 10 contracts by the end of September should reassure the industry.
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But while contractors may welcome the effort to haul the roads programme back on course, there is already widespread concern that the bunching of contracts will place unnecessary pressure and costs on estimating departments.
The move also comes too late to deflect criticism that the Agency, set up in April this year to deliver the roads programme in a smoother and more cost-effective manner, is badly organised and out of touch with contractors' needs.
Richard Weston, director at Laing Civil Engineering, said: 'Basically this is good news as the hiatus was causing uncertainty and hindering our forward planning. But bidding for major schemes takes a huge resource - so with 10 contracts coming out so soon it will raise everybody's bid costs. That cannot be cost-effective for us or the Agency.'
Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors director of external affairs Jim Turner said: 'The hiatus was caused mainly by the changeover from the Department of Transport to the Highways Agency which seems to be taking a long time to organise itself. Estimators have been twiddling their thumbs - and now we will get a flood of work. Furthermore many of the contracts will commence in winter which is far from ideal.'
He added that while the Agency had made an effort to improve communications with the industry, much of what had been agreed had been superseded and was now in need of updating.
NEW STARTS PLANNED FOR 1994-95œmillion
for which tender documents have yet to be issued
M1 Junction 21 - 21A widening phase117
M40 Junction 1A - 3 Widening44
A13 Wennington - Mar Dyke improvement22
A428 Bedford Southern Bypass62
A1 (M) Alconbury - Peterborough Upgrading Contract 185
A12 Hackney - M11 Contract 279
A12 Hackney - M11 Contract 331
A568 Widnes Eastern Bypass16
M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass Contract 258
M6 Junction 20 - 21A (bridge renewal)24
A19 Norton to Parkway improvement38
A34 Chieveley/ M4 Junction 13 improvement30
M25 junction 8 - 10 widening92
A30 Honiton - Exeter improvement65
M5 Junction 18 - 19 widening93
A50 Blyth Bridge - Queensway Phase 225
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