Amey, one of the UK’s leading engineering consultancies has secured a contract to operate two major river crossings in the East of Scotland.
Transport Scotland has commissioned Amey to manage and maintain the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry crossing (which is currently under construction), as well as the associated approach roads. The contract is estimated to be worth between £40-£60m over five years, commencing June 2015, with the option of up to five years of extensions.
Amey will deliver a range of services including engineering design, routine and winter maintenance and incident response to improve network reliability and journey times, supporting local employment, business, leisure and tourism.
Mel Ewell, Chief Executive of Amey said:
“Transport Scotland is already a key client of ours and we look forward to building on our existing partnership to drive further community benefits and efficiencies together through this new contract.
“By using our asset management and engineering expertise we will ensure these iconic structures continue to play a pivotal role in Scotland’s road network and help keep Scotland moving.”
Newly appointed transport minister Derek Mackay said:
“Amey’s own strong commitment to engineering skills, staff training, and employee retention, all part of its integrated business model, was identified as significant during the tender process.
“As a result of our robust Contract requirements, Ministers have secured a range of Community Benefits, such as a commitment to procurement from local small and medium sized enterprises, training and employment initiatives, as well as educational and charitable contributions by the new Operating Company, including facilitating visits to both the existing Road Bridge, the new Crossing when it opens and support for two work clubs in the Unit’s area.”
Amey is a key part of the M8 M73 M74 DBFO that will complete the country’s central motorway network, they manage the trunk roads technology infrastructure across the whole of Scotland, including running the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre and with this latest award have two of the five management and maintenance contracts available – the South East Unit and the Forth Bridges Unit.
This latest contract award means that Amey manages and maintains every vehicle crossing of the Forth River, including the Kincardine and Clackmannanshire bridges and, indeed, through their examinations contract with Network Rail the company inspects and reports on the asset condition of the world-famous Forth Rail Bridge.
Amey will take over the contract from the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA).