Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the contract to build eight new bridges on the M6 road in Cumbria was offered to contractors other than Kier Highways; if not, why; and whether the matter is being reviewed by the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

The contract for the works on the M6 bridges in Cumbria was not offered to any other contractor because the project was allocated to Kier Highways through the National Highways’ Regional Delivery Partnership Framework. To be an appointed supplier under this framework a competitive tendering process took place. I am not aware that this matter has been referred to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.