BEAR to take on Executive road contract

Published on Thursday 9 November 2006 11:40

THE firm responsible for maintaining Edinburgh's busiest roads has failed to win a new contract from the Scottish Executive.

Amey, which currently looks after the city bypass, A1, M8 and M9 and other trunk roads in south-east Scotland, will be replaced by BEAR Scotland next year.

The new deal, worth somewhere between 52 million and 81m over the next five years, was awarded by the Executive's national transport agency Transport Scotland following a tender process, in which BEAR provided a cheaper bid.

There are nearly 300 miles of trunk road in south-east Scotland, with Amey currently responsible for all roadworks, and the winter road-clearing programme. The firm has a depot on Gilmerton Road.

BEAR Scotland, which already looks after roads in north-east Scotland, will take over on April 1 for five years, with the option of a two-year extension.

The company will be responsible for grass cutting, weed control, the repair and maintenance of street lights and traffic signals, and a 24-hour emergency service.

Bill Taylor, managing director of BEAR Scotland, said: "We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to manage and maintain the trunk roads and motorways in the south-east of Scotland."