Highways England has said it wants to work with SMEs on its A303 Stonehenge Tunnel project
It is working with business organisations in the local area including the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Business West and the Federation of Small Businesses, and has partnered nationally with the Supply Chain Sustainability School to provide free online training to prepare SMEs to apply for work on the Stonehenge job.
Highways England project manager for the A303 Stonehenge scheme David Bullock said: “The scheme has numerous benefits, not only in improving journey reliability and enhancing the World Heritage Site landscape, but also in unlocking economic growth in the South West.
“The scheme is not just limited to larger, national and international companies, and we’re keen for local and regional businesses to get the chance to work with the project.
“With our archaeology specialists and preliminary works contractors expected to start on site in late spring next year, there’s going to be some opportunities with those companies within the next six months or so. But there will be greater potential when our main contractor is appointed later in 2021 , and we’d urge businesses to get in touch now, so we can start to help them prepare.”
A preferred bidder for the main works contract is expected to be announced early in 2021. Fieldwork on the scheme is due to start in late spring next year, with the main five-year construction phase expected to start by 2023.
Osborne project director Chris Hudson said: “Osborne has significant experience working collaboratively with Highways England and local stakeholders on a wide variety of challenging projects. Knowing the benefits such projects can bring, we engage with local communities, keeping them informed as well as supporting local businesses and initiatives where possible.”
Any companies interested in working on the A303 Stonehenge project are asked to register their details. Information will then be passed to the relevant contractors.
