£116m A30/A35 Concession Fully Operational

BICC PLC
14 February 2000




BICC'S THIRD DBFO ROAD SCHEME OPENS TO TRAFFIC
£116 Million A30/A35 Concession Now Fully Operational
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Balfour  Beatty,  the  international engineering,  construction  and  services
group,  announces  today  that the last section of its  A30/A35  Design  Build
Finance  and Operate road in Devon and Dorset is now fully opened  for  public
use, well ahead of the original schedule.

Commenting on the opening today, BICC Chief Executive, Mike Welton, said:

'This  is  a  milestone  for the portfolio of privately-financed  roads  which
Balfour  Beatty,  in  joint  venture, has under  management.   This  portfolio
comprises  a  total of over 100 scheme miles and has generated a  construction
value  of approaching £300 million and services contracts with a potential  to
rise to around £100 million.

'The  substantial asset base represented by this portfolio, together with  our
interests in healthcare, power and other sectors, the secure long-term  profit
flows  which they will generate and the enhanced skills and capabilities  that
flow from leadership in the PFI sector, will be of great future benefit to the
Group.'

BICC  is  amongst  the most successful entrants to the UK's privately-financed
infrastructure  market.  Its portfolio of three roads (A30/A35  in  Devon  and
Dorset,  A50  in  Derbyshire  and  A1/M1 Link  in  Yorkshire),  two  hospitals
(Edinburgh  Royal  Infirmary and North Dryburn) and three  power  projects  is
expected  to  be  augmented  in the near future by conversion  from  preferred
bidder to contract status of a further hospital, a major schools project and a
water  concession in Scotland.  It has also prequalified for  two  concessions
under the PPP arrangements planned for London Underground.

In  addition to its road concession ownership and operation, Balfour Beatty is
a  leader  in the UK road management and term maintenance market.  The  recent
renewal  of  its  contract  with Hampshire County Council  has  added  to  its
existing  road contracts for Surrey, Hampshire, Buckinghamshire,  Bedfordshire
and  Worcestershire, to a total value of £119 million.  Additionally,  Balfour
Beatty  has  motorway and trunk road management and maintenance responsibility
for  two of the Highways Agency areas in the south of England, including major
sections of the M25 and M3 motorways.



Enquiries to:
Tim Sharp
BICC Group
Tel: [phone]