Contract awarded for M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction Improvements - 25th June 2003

27/06/2003

The M40/A404 Handy Cross junction improvement in Buckinghamshire is a step closer today with the award of an £8m contract to Edmund Nuttall Ltd. To design and build the scheme.

The proposed scheme includes a new link road from the existing roundabout and a dedicated left turn slip road between A404 and M40(W). Additional lanes will also be built to the M40 slip roads entering the roundabout to ease congestion.

Highways Agency’s Project Sponsor, Phil Barnett, welcomed the award of the contract:

“This project will be a huge step forward in easing congestion and improving road safety along this busy stretch of road.

“The scheme will take into account the needs of local road users as well as longer distance drivers and will compliment the local environment”

The Highways Agency is involving the contractor at an early stage, to take full advantage of their expertise in the design and development phases. This ‘Early Contractor Involvement’ approach has been devised to bring cost benefits to the project and allow for innovation, better planning for resource requirements and shorter construction periods.

Phil Barnett said: “Motorists will welcome this announcement and the project goes a long way towards achieving our vision of safe roads and reliable journeys for travellers throughout England’s network of trunk roads and motorways.”

The Handy Cross junction improvements are expected to take about 18 months to complete, work on site is to commence in Spring 2005 and is anticipated to open to traffic in the summer of 2006.

Notes to Editors:

1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England’s roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at www.highways.gov.uk

2. The M40/A404 Handy Cross Junction improvements is one of the schemes in the Government’s targeted programme of improvements comprising 72 schemes designed to tackle congestion and improve road safety.

3. The next stage is to publish the Draft Orders in December 2003. This marks the start of the statutory consultation period. A public enquiry may follow, if necessary, in May 2004. Subject to the statutory processes, work could start in December 2004.

4. The start of works is programmed for December 2004 and the road is anticipated to open to traffic in the summer of 2006.

5. The contract has been awarded to Edmund Nuttall.

6. The scheme is expected to cost approximately £8m

Issued by Highways Agency’s South East Press and PR Office.
Media enquiries to:

Melese Glazer on 01306 878 110 andmelese.glazer@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Cosima Duggal on 01306 878 442 cosima.duggal@highways.gsi.gov.uk