Manual of contract documents for highway works

[edit] Introduction

The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) contains the documents that are required for the preparation of contracts for trunk road works. The documents are contained in several parts and include details about how they should be used, the specification for the highway works and the corresponding method measurements.

[edit] Volumes

There are six separate volumes that make up the manual:

• Volume 0 – Introduction to the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works.
• Volume 1 – Specification for Highway Works.
• Volume 2 – Notes for Guidance on the Specification for Highway Works.
• Volume 3 – Highway Construction Details.
• Volume 4 – Bills of Quantities for Highway Works.
• Volume 5 – Contract Documents for Specialist Activities.
• Volume 6 – Departmental Standards and Advice Notes on Contract Documentation and Site Supervision.

[edit] Volume 0 Introduction to the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works

This volume contains the model contract documents that are required for Highway works and includes instructions for tendering and typical contract documents for preparing contracts for trunk road construction, improvement, and maintenance in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The volume has four sections:

• Section 0 – Introduction of Manual System.
• Section 1 – Model Contract Document for Highway Works.
• Section 2 – Implementing Standards.
• Section 3 – Advice Notes.

[edit] Volume 1 – Specification for Highway Works

This volume sets out the requirements and approvals process for goods, work or materials used in the construction, improvement or maintenance of trunk roads. The volume has 28 series and seven appendices for different types of works and specifications.

[edit] Volume 2 – Notes for Guidance on the Specifications for Highway Works

Volume 2 contains guidance notes for implementing the details in Volume 1 and also provides tables and appendices needed for the contract. The volume has 28 series and a single annex document.

[edit] Volume 3 – Highway Construction Details

Volume 3 includes drawings that can be used in contract preparation for works involving construction, maintenance and improvement of trunk roads.

The volume has three sections:

• Section 1 – Carriageway and Other Details.
• Section 2 – Not used.
• Section 3 – National Motorway Communication System Installation Drawings.

[edit] Volume 4 – Bills of Quantities for Highway Works

Provides the measurement methods and the bills of quantities needed for the tendering and evaluation process.

The volume has three sections:

• Section 1 – Method of Measurement for Highway Works.
• Section 2 – Notes for Guidance on the Method of Measurement for Highway Works.
• Section 3 – Library of Standard Item Descriptions for Highway Works.

[edit] Volume 5 – Contract Documents for Specialist Activities

Sets out specialist activities contracts such as ground investigations, movable bridges, trenchless installation of highway drainage and service ducts.

The volume has nine sections:

• Section 1 – Geodetic Survey.
• Section 2 – Not used.
• Section 3 – Ground Investigation.
• Section 4-6 – Not used.
• Section 7 – Mechanical and Electrical Installations in Road tunnels, Movable bridges and Bridge Access Gantries.
• Section 8 – Trenchless Installation of Highway Drainage and Service Ducts.
• Section 9 – Model Contract Documents for CCTV Survey of Highway Drainage Systems.

[edit] Volume 6 – Departmental Standards and Advice Notes on Contract Documentation and Site Supervision

Contains information about using substances hazardous to health during highway construction. The volume has four sections:

• Section 1 – Standards.
• Section 2 – Advice Notes.
• Section 3 & 4 – Not Used.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Code of Practice for Ironwork Systems Installation and Refurbishment.
• Construction contract.
• Contract documents.
• COSHH.
• Deleterious materials.
• Design and Check Certificates.
• Highway authority.
• Highways England.
• Highways in England and Wales.
• Roadworks.
• Section 38 agreement - adoption of highways.
• Section 50 agreement.
• Section 278 agreement - works to existing highways.
• Street works.
• The history of the dimensions and design of roads, streets and carriageways.

[edit] External references

• Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works.