A92 Upgrading – Dundee to Arbroath

UK, between Dundee and Arbroath on the East coast of Scotland.

19km upgrading of single carriageway road to dual carriageway together with junction and side road improvements.

Design, Build, Finance and Operate Contract (DBFO) under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

Bespoke contract based on Scottish Executive (SE) model adopted on PFI roads schemes procured by the SE.

Angus Council/ Dundee City Council (Client), Babtie Group (Technical Adviser), Claymore Roads (special purpose company established for project by Morgan Est and Barclays).

Works commenced on site July 2003, contract signed on 30 September 2003, construction complete Summer 2006, concession for operation and maintenance ends 2036.

As above.

£80m.

The A92 between Dundee and Arbroath is approximately 19km in length and forms a vitally important strategic route serving the major populated areas of Dundee, Carnoustie, Monifieth, Arbroath and Montrose. Angus Council and Dundee City Council have procured the contract to improve the safety, quality of life and economic opportunity of the area by upgrading this important route to dual carriageway.

In addition to the objectives detailed above the objectives for the project include:

• Greatly improved road safety via provision of grade separation, and removal of cross carriageway manoeuvres.

• Provision of a high quality transport link between Dundee and Arbroath incorporating a full length cycleway and footway.

• Removal of conflicts between local and long distance traffic through the provision of a higher standard of road.

• Minimising the intrusion of roads and traffic on the local communities and providing opportunities for environmental enhancement in the communities and in the road corridor.

• Providing local distribution access to existing business and new economic initiatives.

• Providing greater journey time reliability, not only on the A92, but also on adjacent routes, which is particularly desirable with respect to public transport.

The proposals for upgrading the route were first tabled in 1963 however for various reasons, including the de-trunking of the route, the proposals were never realised until central government Transport Challenge Funding was secured by Angus Council. The procurement phase of the project took place from 1998 through to contract signing in September 2003 and during this period various local and central government procedures were followed as part of the decision making process.

In return for the works and services that Claymore Roads provide Angus Council pay the PFI company a service/unitary charge from the date of effective completion of the new works. The PFI company then uses these payments to repay the finance it obtained and to provide a return for its investment. The payments are based on the availability of the carriageway sections to road users under the PFI companies control and the volume of traffic utilising the route. The PFI company also has to assist Angus Council in their obligations to comply with a number of local government best value performance indicators.

Noted above under introduction and issues.

Project currently under construction and full operations and maintenance services due to commence on completion.

Jeff Green (Angus Council Project Manager), Iain Murray (Babtie Group Project Director), Donald Morrison (Babtie Group Project Manager)

Jeff Green: +44 (0)1307 473 289, Iain Murray: +44 (0)141 566 8283, Donald Morrison: +44 (0)141 566 8260

None currently available however can be sourced from Jeff Green at Angus Council.