April 23, 2019 11.21 am This story is over 60 months old

New subcontractor appointed on Lincoln’s Eastern Bypass

The last company collapsed in January
Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire County Council has appointed a new subcontractor for the earthworks contract on Lincoln’s Eastern Bypass following the collapse of the previous company three months ago.

Amery Construction Ltd has taken on the works on the £120 million project and started work today.

The Middlesex-based firm takes over from Hawk Plant Ltd, which collapsed into administration back in January 2019.

Hawk Plant, which is based in Shropshire and has more than 40 years experience, blamed “historical problematic contracts” and delays in “commencement of anticipated projects” for the decision to appoint administrators.

Lincoln Eastern Bypass. Picture: Lincolnshire County Council.

Since then, main contractor Galliford Try took on the earthworks on the scheme while a tender process was opened for the contract.

The county council said the scheme is still on schedule to be opened next spring, despite the collapse of Hawk.

The single carriageway scheme has already been delayed by Carillion’s collapse from December 2019 until May 2020 and is expected to be £21 million over budget, totalling £120 million (the original cost estimate for a dual carriageway road).

Lincolnshire county councillor, Richard Davies, at the Lincoln Eastern Bypass construction site. Picture: Steve Smailes.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: “Following a tender process led by Galliford Try, I’m happy to confirm that Amery Construction Ltd has been appointed as the bypass’s new earthworks subcontractor and has officially started work on-site today.

“Over the past three months, Galliford Try has been carrying out the scheme’s integral earthworks themselves.

“As a result, we’re still on schedule for completing and opening the new road next spring.”

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