Civils demand more detail on road packages

Contractors have asked the Highways Agency (HA) for "more detail" after being told to expect 20 road packages to be launched over the next few years.

At a recent HA suppliers' meeting in Birmingham, contractors were also told a minimum of three road schemes would be assigned to each package - depending on the nature of the work.

However, several contractors questioned after the event said that there was "limited detail" on what the packages would contain.

One major contractor said: "It's a positive way forward but what we really need to know is how much work there will be to keep us going."

Gary Wright, the HA's supply chain manager, said that it was still early days and that further meetings will provide greater detail.