§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about progress with the A249 Iwade to Queenborough improvement, with special reference to the(a) start date, (b) finish date and (c) Compulsory Purchase Order required. [82228]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from Tim Matthews to Mr. Derek Wyatt, dated November 2002:
I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent question about progress on the A249 Iwade Bypass to Queenborough Improvement scheme.
This scheme is incorporated within the A249 Stockbury (M2) to Sheerness DBFO project which is currently out to tender, with a tender return date of 6 December. We expect to award the contract in November next year.
The actual delivery programme for the improvement scheme will be determined by the successful DBFO Company. At this stage of the procurement process our assumed programme is as follows:
- Works commencement date-01 March 2004
- Road open to traffic-31 March 2006
- Completion of Works-01 July 2006
It should be noted that whilst tenders are due to be submitted by 6 December, a significant period of negotiation is required between return of tenders and award of contract. The period between the date of award and the start date for the works allows for completion of detailed scheme design.
With regard to the Compulsory Purchase Orders for the scheme, these were made in June 2001 and will remain valid until June 2004. This period can be extended beyond 2004 provided that Notices to Treat are served prior to this date.