Costain wins £100m A556 relief job

ENGINEERING group Costain has secured a £101.7m contract to build a new dual carriageway linking the M6 with the M56 in Cheshire.

The new four-mile road would run mainly to the west of the existing A556 from Junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford to Junction 7 of the M56 near Bowdon.

It would re-join the existing A556 for a short section north of Bucklow Hill, which would be upgraded to modern dual carriageway standards, and should be open in 2016-17.

Costain has already been involved in the planning and design of the project.

Chief executive Andrew Wyllie said: “We are delighted to have secured the delivery phase of this vital scheme, following our successful work during the ECI (early contractor involvement) phase in providing specialist design consultation and securing planning approval.

“This award is further demonstration of the importance to Costain of long-term, strategic partnerships with our customers, and our ability to deliver a range of innovative integrated services.”