asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the works (details supplied) carried out by direct local authority management were not put out to open tender in which local authorities would have been allowed to compete with other possible tenderers in an open competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Local Authority Road Improvement Schemes.
106.
Most of the schemes referred to by the Deputy were commenced some years ago. While these schemes are being done by direct management by the local authorities concerned, significant elements of the works (e.g. bridgeworks, earthworks, and surfacing) are being done by contract.
In recent years, my Department has been gearing local authorities towards the more widespread use of single and multiple contracts systems for major road improvement schemes. The general policy in relation to methods of construction of road improvement schemes will be set out in the Blueprint for Road Development which I intend to publish by next June.