HAcalls bidders for £45m A30 improvements

The Highways Agency (HA) is inviting firms to prequalify for the long-awaited £45m upgrade of the A30 in Cornwall.

Controversial plans to improve the road between Bodmin and Indian Queens first surfaced about 30 years ago, but never got off the ground. The scheme is now expected to face a rocky ride from environmental protestors and will go to a public inquiry.

Sources say the HA is likely to shortlist at least five contractors to pitch for the design and construct scheme, in line with recent changes in EC procurement laws.

The project will be let on a target-cost basis and handled in two phases.

The first, lasting around two years and expected to start in 2004 or 2005, includes design development, pushing the scheme through statutory procedures and working up an environmental statement.

Phase two entails construction and a five-year maintenance period.

l The HA is also gearing up to shortlist five firms to pitch for a £15m term-maintenance deal covering trunk roads in Cornwall and Devon and including the A30 and A38.