MT 123/171
Section 1 Brynmawr to Abergavenny: contractor's request for financial assistance
| Date range | 1963-1965 |
| Location | National Archives (see all files stored here) |
| Catalogue | See entry |
| File base | Series MT, subseries MT 123 |
Context
The contract to build Section I of the new Heads of the Valleys Road in 1960 appeared to be doomed to failure from the outset. Huge engineering problems were compounded by an inexperienced contractor who had undervalued the job. As a result, just a year into the contract they asked the MOT for financial assistance, and as the job wore on and on, came close to bankruptcy.
This file deals specifically with the MOT's response to their cries for help, including some revaluation of raw materials specified in the contract which allowed an increase in payments, and retiming of payments to give them a monthly allowance in order to stay afloat.
As middle-men, the consulting engineers also attract the ire of the MOT, having not properly managed the works, issued appropriate variation orders where the required work changed, and failed to explain extra payments being approved to the contractors.
Contents of note
- Detailed correspondence explaining extra payments
- Original certificate of completion issued to the contractor to get them off site after five years on the job
Links to other files
- MT 123/167 Section 1 Brynmawr to Abergavenny: letting of contract (1959-1968)
- MT 39/1071 MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW CONSTRUCTION: Port Talbot BC: Heads of the Valleys Road Brynmawr to Abergavenny section: contract documents (1959)
People with camera copies
Chris Marshall has a partial copy.
