Highways Agency waste shock to A30 campaigners
A report by the Public Accounts Committee found today (Tuesday) that the procurement process for the system took five years, causing potentially competitive bidders to pull out. Over £15m was spent on advisers – more than three times the amount originally intended.
Mr Rogerson has been campaigning with the Temple to Bodmin A30 Action Group to have the last remaining section of the trunk road between Exeter and Truro upgraded to a dual carriageway. He says the improvements would improve safety, and reduce journey times.
Commenting, he said:
“It will come as a shock to local campaigners that so much money could have been carelessly wasted when schemes like the A30 upgrade in Cornwall have been shelved for lack of funding.
“In times like this it’s even more vital that the Government spends every penny of taxpayers’ cash wisely. We cannot afford to throw good money after bad.
“I will continue to press Ministers and the regional assembly to give this scheme the priority it deserves.”
Notes to Editors:
· The Highways Agency aimed to complete the procurement for the National Roads Telecommunication Services (NTRS) contract in 21 months for a cost of £3 million. The actual procurement took over five years to complete and cost £15.5 million in advisers’ fees. Most of the additional time and cost was incurred in meeting the Agency’s requirements for high quality bid documents
