Highways England gets new name and CEO

Highways England has changed its name again as its new chief executive was confirmed.

Nick Harris is the new full-time leader of the government company which builds and operates the country’s motorways and major A-roads.

Harris has been acting chief executive since taking over from Jim O’Sullivan in February.

Highways England will also now be known as ‘National Highways’ which “reflects the new focus the company has on delivering the government’s £27bn strategic roads investment programme, while also continuing to set highways standards for the whole UK.”

The last rebranding of the company was from the Highways Agency to Highways England in 2015.

Highways England Chair, Dipesh J Shah said: “Nick’s steady hand throughout the last few months has established a solid foundation to help us on our journey to transform how we work with our supply chain, how we deliver our net zero carbon and how we realise our digitalisation ambitions.”

Harris said: “I am pleased to be taking up the reins at such an exciting time. We have achieved a great deal and there is still more to be done.

“As we deliver the second roads investment strategy ensuring the safety of all road users, the delivery of our work and the benefits to our customers remains at the centre of our organisation.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added: “Nick will be an excellent CEO and I’m looking forward to continuing to work closely with him as we build back better across the country.

“Nick will steer Highways England into an exciting new chapter, as it evolves into National Highways and delivers on our £27bn plan to improve our roads and make journeys safer, smoother and greener.”

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L&Q starts hunt for key groundwork and RC frame firms

The in-house contractor for housing association London and Quadrant is establishing a set of dynamic purchasing agreements with key subcontractors.

Subsidiary Quadrant Construction Services is tendering for the provision of services for groundwork, RC frame, external works and piling for self-delivered new build projects.

The move is part of the push by L&Q to step up self-delivery of new homes going forward.

In the medium term it is hoping to deliver an annual programme of at least 3,000 completions.

Following the establishment of the DPS framework, L&Q will conduct mini-competition tenders between all capable contractors on a project by project basis.

All tendering will be conducted using L&Q’s In-Tend E-Procurement Portal.

Proposed London lots will cover work packages up to £5m and larger packages over £5m.

For more information click here.

 

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Contract race starts for latest £115m stretch of A9 Dualling

Transport Scotland has officially started bidding for the £115m A9 Dualling: Tomatin to Moy project.

A contract notice is now live here launching the competition to select the main construction contractor to dual the next phase of the A9.

Minister for Transport Graeme Dey, said: “Creating employment and training opportunities that benefit the people and communities surrounding this project is a key focus for this significant investment in Scotland’s infrastructure that intends to deliver improvements that bring economic, social and environmental wellbeing to the area.

“This new construction contract will help deliver our shared vision for Scotland – a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system, helping deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, businesses and visitors.

“It will also set out new aspirations for carbon reduction in construction and revitalise employment opportunities through a wide range of skills and training initiatives and educational engagement, throughout the duration of the construction phase.”

Transport Scotland anticipate that the contract for the third section of the A9 Dualling will be awarded in the second half of 2022.

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