9 May 2003

Interserve Project Services has won a contract worth £27m for the creation of a new, 5-kilometre section of the A5 north of Birmingham. The Highways Agency has awarded the contract under its Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) programme. Interserve will undertake the work with consortium partners Hanson, the surfacing contractor, and designer Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The stretch of the A5 from its junction with the A38 at Weeford to the Fazely / Two Gates / Wilnecote bypass is currently single carriageway. The Interserve consortium will design and construct a new, two-lane, all-purpose dual carriageway to the north of the existing road and will rebuild the A5/A38 junction to allow the A38 traffic to pass straight through in a "grade separation". The current stretch of the A5 will remain in place to serve the local community.

As part of the road's construction Interserve will undertake environmental works and will create associated structures such as bridges and culverts. Initial works on site are planned by the end of 2003, with an expected completion date of mid-2005.

Commenting on the contract Interserve Plc director John Vyse said, "This award allows us to continue the excellent relationship we have with the Highways Agency and gives us the opportunity to develop our skills further in Early Contractor Involvement schemes."