Major airport scheme contractors revealed
VOLKERFITZPATRICK and Colas have been unveiled as the preferred joint venture contractors for the A45 Transport Corridor Improvement Scheme and the Runway extension at Birmingham Airport.
The duo were chosen following a competitive tender process run by Birmingham City Council. VolkerFitzpatrick is headquartered in Hertfordshire but has a local base at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham. Colas is headquartered in Sussex but has a local base at Rowley Regis.
The two projects are being developed in conjunction due to their close proximities and timeframes.
The A45 scheme will improve the A45 Coventry Road between Damson Parkway and M42 Junction 6. Birmingham City Council tendered for the scheme on behalf of Solihull MBC.
Its estimated start date is July, with works expected to be completed by Summer 2013. The estimated start date for the runway extension scheme is June 2013, with an operational date of spring 2014, following full commissioning and flight testing.
On completion, the 405m runway extension will enhance the airport’s capability and open up the Midlands to direct flights to and from the Far East and South America, among other routes.
John Morris, head of industry and government affairs for Birmingham Airport, said: “By meeting local demand, the airport will reduce unnecessary long-distance surface journeys to other UK airports and generate sustainable long-term economic growth inside its own local area.”
Councillor Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said, “Birmingham Airport and the A45, which links Birmingham to Coventry, the motorways and beyond, are both key strategic components of the entire West Midlands’ transport infrastructure.
“Making improvements and expanding capacity of both the road and airport will directly benefit the regional economy, encouraging more inward investment and enhancing our position and ability to compete on a global scale.”
The runway extension works are currently estimated at £33m and will be funded by the Airport Company.
The A45 Corridor Improvement works are currently estimated at £32m, funded by £10m from Centro (the Transport Authority for the West Midlands), a £7m contribution by the airport for the cost of the revised alignment of the A45 corridor, and potentially £15.7m through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund for which the final contract is still pending.
