Security cost boost for firms

The Scottish Office and Strathclyde Regional Council has backed off from its demands to force contractors to pay for delays and damages caused by environmental protesters on the M77 in Scotland.

The four bidding contractors - Wimpey, Tarmac, Balfour Beatty and Trafalgar House - were alarmed by the possible heavy costs they might incur and asked the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors to intercede on their behalf.

The FCEC has managed to persuade the client to accept a new clause in the contract that covers the direct costs of security and allows for the possibility of time-extensions in case of delays caused by protesters.

What has not been settled is an agreement over who pays for any costs incurred by the action of environmentalists.

The FCEC's Jim Turner said: 'We may have to compromise over this, but we hope that since the Scottish Office admits the possibilities of delays, then costs may be admitted under a variation order.'

Bids for the design, build and maintain road went in this Wednesday.

In England, the Batheaston bypass in Avon is a few weeks behind schedule, partly due to protester action.

Main contractor Amey believes it has plenty of time to catch up and complete the job on time.

Norwest Holst said that protests on the A12 Hackney Wick to M11 link road in north London, have not affected the critical path and it expects to complete the road in autumn 1997.