TWELVE companies have landed long-term contracts to help deliver major regeneration and infrastructure projects across Bradford and beyond.

Aecom, Amey, Arup, Atkins, CH2M, Curtins, Jacobs, Local Transport Projects, Sweco, Waterman, WSP and WYG have all been appointed to a new professional services framework set up by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

As a result, they could be called on to help with a host of infrastructure projects planned for the next four years under the £1bn West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund.

This is set to include revamps of both of the city’s rail stations, a £42m programme of improvements to the Bradford-to-Shipley Canal Road corridor and a £12m project to cut congestion on Tong Street, Bradford.

The services provided by the selected firms include civil engineering and highways consultancy, bridge, structural and engineering design, construction supervision and project and programme management.

The framework means the Combined Authority and councils across Yorkshire can use the companies without having to go through separate tender processes each time.

Nearly 50 companies had applied to join the framework and the tender process saw them scored on both quality and price.

The quality element included the companies’ method statements, their commitment to promoting skills and training as well as their approach to carbon reduction and sustainability.

The chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “I am pleased that we had such wide-ranging interest expressed from companies wanting to supply these key services to the region.

“Their work will be vital to us implementing and accelerating our large-scale programme of infrastructure projects that will help unlock our City Region’s huge economic potential.

“One of our aims in the framework appointment process was to encourage new, smaller and local companies to get involved so I’m particularly pleased that Curtins, LTP and SWECO, which are all SMEs based in the North have been successful.”