Highways deals face regional interference

Civils contractors are worried they will face a drought of highways work in the new year after a drive by the Department for Transport (DfT) to push all forthcoming major road schemes through regional transport boards (RTBs).

The move, which could see months added to the start-up of early contractor involvement schemes, has also raised questions from the industry over the future role of the Highways Agency (HA). Civils contractors are also worried that their investment in the HA’s new procurement methods have been in vain.

The DfT admitted the HA will relinquish its liaison with regional stakeholders once the boards are established. But it will continue to work on schemes and bring them to a point when they are ready for tender, once the regions have advised.

The full details of the RTBs’ role remain limited, with the boards expected to be announced soon following two regional trials this year.

It is thought that schemes will be transferred to RTBs, which will then review and approve schemes before sending their conclusions back to the DfT for final approval and tender – a process that could add months to the delivery of a scheme.

CJ understands that the £192m dualling of the A303 at Stonehenge, being carried out by a Costain and Balfour Beatty jv, could be a victim of the new changes and will be examined by an RTB.

The scheme is in the public inquiry phase. The DfT said it is "awaiting the inspector’s report from the inquiry".

The Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association voiced its concern at the news and questioned the future role of the HA. "The details remain sketchy over exactly where and how schemes will roll-out. But it can only spell more frustrating news for our members," said the association’s economic adviser Jim Turner. "We have to ask who will now be letting the contracts, the HA or the RTBs?

"If it isn’t the HA, then the industry will feel cheated after all the money it has invested in the capability assessment toolkit and in changes to procurement methods."

The HA claims it will still be responsible for the "delivery" of schemes.