National Highways A303 awards contracts

Although the planning application for the scheme is still pending redetermination by the secretary of state for transport, a £60m contract has been awarded to Costain and Mott MacDonald for technical and construction management and to ensure timescales are maintained.  

National Highways has also signed a contract with MORE joint venture, including FCC Construction, WeBuild and BeMo Tunnelling to deliver a tunnel and main construction work at a cost of £1.25bn.

The contracts cover the construction of the proposed tunnel’s civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and technology components which includes the tunnel boring machine with structures, roadworks, and the environmental aspects of the five-year construction phase.

National Highway’s project director for the A303 Stonehenge scheme, Derek Parody, said: “We’re pleased to have brought in a team of expert contractors.

“The main works contract will only become live once the secretary of state has concluded the planning process.

“The announcement in no way pre-empts any decision, and once that is finalised, and should the development consent order be granted, having these contractors in place puts us in the strongest possible position to deliver this transformational scheme and deliver the benefits we know it can.

“The scheme will not only unlock congestion along this vital A303 route, but also conserve and enhance the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site."

Stonehenge (Image: agency)

National Highways said a robust procurement process was followed which required shortlisted companies to design solutions.

Mr Parody added: “Our delivery assurance partner will help us to successfully coordinate and oversee the development of the scheme moving forward.

"This collaborative team will continue to work with local stakeholders, heritage bodies and local communities to deliver a successful and exceptional project for the area.”

Managing director of transportation at Costain, Sue Kershaw, said: “This scheme will bring enormous benefits to people using the A303 and those living in the local area, unlocking the regional economy and safeguarding the much-loved Stonehenge World Heritage site and surrounding environment.

“This award recognises our ability to apply our construction expertise to the delivery assurance partner role and we’re delighted that together we are creating connected, sustainable infrastructure that helps people and the planet to thrive.”

Ken Norbury, from Mott MacDonald, said: “We have assembled a world class multi-disciplinary team to support this vital upgrade project.

“We’re proud to be chosen alongside Costain and look forward to working collaboratively with the project team on an outstanding scheme that will improve peoples’ lives, enhance the World Heritage Site and its surrounding environment, and one which the country will be proud of.”

National Highway has worked closely with the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Business West, the Federation of Small Businesses, Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Salisbury BID.

It has also partnered with Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide free online training to help smaller companies upskill so they can tender for larger infrastructure projects.

Preliminary work will provide initial opportunities for local, regional, and national companies within the first six months of construction starting.

Wessex Archaeology was awarded the £35m Archaeological Mitigation Contract, and Octavius Infrastructure awarded the £8.5m Preliminary Works Contract via the Collaborative Delivery Framework.