Transport Scotland is to extend two of its trunk road contracts bringing increasing savings to the public purse.

The current contracts for the North West and South West Units, managed by Scotland Transerv and Amey respectively, will be extended from 31 March 2011 to 31 May 2012.

At the same time, arrangements are being made to procure the next generation of contracts which will promote innovation and collaboration, and encourage sustainable road maintenance while supporting around 1250 jobs across Scotland.

Jim Barton, Transport Scotland’s Chief Road Engineer and Director said: “Extending these contracts builds on the benefits already delivered including excellent value for money and efficiency savings on the previous contracts, for the public purse.

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“The current contracts were developed in 2003 and much has changed since then with sustainability and climate change acting as key influencers in our road maintenance activities.

“This decision allows work to carry on as normal while we continue our efforts to ensure the new contracts reflect current best practice, offer opportunities for collaboration and deliver best value for money for the tax-payer.”

The procurement process for new contracts for North West and South West units will commence shortly, to have new contracts in place by 1 June 2012.

A Supplier Information Day will be held at the Thistle Hotel in Glasgow on 12 October and the competition for the new contracts will be published through the ‘Public Contracts Scotland’ advertising portal. All organisations responding to the invitation to express an interest in the competition will be considered on merit in accordance with the prequalification process set out in the invitation and prequalification documentation.

A decision on the timing of the renewal of the North East and South East Unit contracts will be announced next year.

(GK/KMcA)