Delight for West Midlands firms on £12m roads contract

Two West Midlands are celebrating winning a £12 million contract to resurface roads in the Black Country.

JA Bates Contractors based in Crystal Drive, Smethwick, and Tarmac Ltd of Millfields Road, Wolverhampton, have won the two-year contract to work on roads in Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton. It is the latest example of Black Country authorities working together to cut costs.

The two-year collaborative contract will see the two firms carry out resurfacing works in all three boroughs.

The contract has also been issued with an optional two-year extension.

Richard Watson, Tarmac's managing quantity surveyor, said: "Having worked in conjunction with JA Bates on the previous contract in Dudley borough, it's great news that we've secured a new contract that also includes Wolverhampton and Sandwell councils."

Sandwell's neighbourhoods boss Councillor Ian Jones said: "This contract is a clear example of how the local authorities are working together. If we tendered out this contract individually as a local authority it would cost us a lot more."