Regional SMEs to benefit from new road deals

Exclusive by Ross Pearman

Regional contractors can expect to be involved in long-term multi-million pound contracts by the end of the year following an announcement by the Highways Agency (HA) that it is in the "advanced stages" of lining up bundled major regional work packages.

The work is coming from recommendations made in the latest multi-modal transport studies.

Taking the form of current HA framework agreements, possibly longer than five years, work will be split across five areas of the country and will see a high reliance on local contractors to boost up their supply teams.

Steve Rowsell, the HA's procurement director, said: "We are making steady progress and we expect to be up to the government's challenge to speed up delivery of major projects by starting procurement processes, possibly by the end of the year, when the government outlines its proposals."

Nine multi-modal studies are now back on ministers' desks awaiting approval. An announcement is expected in the autumn.

The HA is already in advanced stages with the Major Contractors Group and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association over ways to roll-out plans.

For local contractors to meet the targets, Rowsell said it is important that the final teams can boast a good health and safety record, the ability to retain skilled staff and the ability to sustain work over a long-term contract.