Bouygues pulls out of race for £1.3bn Essex BSF

Bouygues has pulled out of bidding for the massive £1.3bn Essex Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, citing design costs as the reason for its withdrawal.

The move leaves the field open to rival bidders Carillion and Skanska.

Bouygues' move left Essex County Council officials mystified. A BSF team member said: "They said they weren't happy with the cost of working up designs for four sample schemes. Admittedly it had been increased from three to four, but the D&B sample school is brand new and only requires an extension."

Thescheme involves the rebuilding or remodelling of 80 schools over 15 years. The first phase will deliver eight schools, including four PFI schools. Skanska and Carillion will have to work up four sample schemes, including three PFI schools and a D&B special school project.

The two remaining bidders will fight it out for the role of preferred bidder, which will be announced in January 2010.

Bouygues was unavailable for comment as CJ went to press.

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