HBG, Sir Robert, Laing O'Rourke chase £70m Tyneside college deal

Six firms are swotting up for a £70m college deal in the North East.

The roll-call for the South Tyneside College project pits local contractor Surgo Construction against five national players - understood to be HBG, Shepherd, Sir Robert McAlpine, Laing O'Rourke and Morgan Ashurst.

The first stage of the two-stage tender design-and-build scheme is expected to be awarded later this year, with work on site beginning in August 2009.

Completion will be phased over three years.

The job encompasses two sites - at South Shields and Hebburn.

A new Sixth Form College and a Marine College figure in the deal, which may be awarded to a single contractor, or split between two.