Colas has won a contract with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to build package A of the new A34 Sprint Bus Rapid Transit Scheme from Walsall to Birmingham.
The A34 scheme will deliver a transformational improvement in bus services on the A34 corridor between Walsall town centre and Birmingham city centre through the phased delivery of a bus rapid transit scheme (known as ‘SPRINT’). These services are key to connecting Walsall people to a range of opportunities in the wider-West Midlands and are central to the regeneration of Walsall town centre.
Sandeep Shingadia, Director of Development and Delivery for Transport for West Midlands said: “We’re very pleased to announce Colas and McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd as construction partners for sections of our A34 Sprint corridor between Birmingham City Centre and Walsall.
“The high quality and most importantly reliable Sprint bus service we are developing will offer people a viable alternative to the private car and help us reduce both congestion and carbon emissions.”
“The start of works along these sections are a significant milestone for both TfWM and for the Sprint project. We are in good hands, working with some of the UK’s leading infrastructure companies along the A34 and A45 in order to ensure the Sprint bus corridor will be completed and ready to run next Spring.”
Colas will deliver package A of the scheme for WMCA and TfWM between Walsall and Scott Arms, which will include carriageway widening and reconstruction and associated civils works, surfacing, lining, signing and street lighting provision. There will be construction of new bus stop locations along the route and traffic signal upgrades at key junctions with the implementation of bus lane enforcement measures. The scheme is being prioritised for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and works are will start in June.
Along with the A34 scheme, Colas have secured a place on Lots 3 and 4 of Coventry City Councils Civil Engineering Support Framework. The framework will see Colas involved in delivering minor civil engineering and traffic safety projects valued up to £250,000 under Lot 3, and civil engineering and traffic safety projects valued over £250,000 under Lot 4. The new four-year framework commenced April 2021.
In the first quarter of 2021, the Executive Board at Colas took the decision to relocate the Colas headquarters to Birmingham as part of its long-term strategic growth plans. Following review of its property portfolio, and in consideration of their long-standing presence in the West Midlands, Colas believes such a move will bring many benefits to having its head office in a more central location within the UK. The new HQ will be located at Bishops Court, Birmingham Business Park, with the current Colas Birmingham location at Rowley Regis being developed for regional operations.
Chief Executive of Colas, Carl Fergusson said “It is very pleasing to be supporting the development of infrastructure in the Midlands, in particular to be awarded the A34 Sprint project which has significance both to the region and to the success of the Commonwealth Games next year. Alongside this it is apt that we have announced our head office relocation.”
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