Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW)

Introducing a new, modernised suite of documents.

The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) has undergone its most significant update in decades. Its seven document sets have been streamlined into three, with enhanced, consistent clause style. Technical requirements have been aligned with latest standards and industry practice, supporting innovation in design, and construction and operation of highways infrastructure.

This modernisation has been in progress since 2018 and was published in September 2025. We have worked with industry colleagues and partners from the overseeing organisations in the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales throughout the process. The updated MCHW aims to provide clear and unambiguous requirements and instructions, compatible with modern contract forms and future construction practices.

What is the MCHW?

The MCHW is our standard suite of specification documents which are included within a construction contract and the Contractor is required to comply with its contents. It is used in the majority of cases when we employ a Contractor. The documents are published on the Standards for Highways website.

Why update now?

This modernisation aligns the MCHW with the DRMB which was relaunched and digitalised in 2020. The update was a requirement under National Highways' licence for the second Road Investment Strategy period (RIS2).

The vision for the updated MCHW was established following an industry-wide consultation in 2018, involving over 100 organisations. The vision for the MCHW is to "provide clear and unambiguous requirements and instructions, compatible with modern contract forms and future construction practices."

What is changing?

Three streamlined document sets with new document numbers, replace the seven current volumes and series references, making it easier to use and understand.

The volumes are:

Specification for Highways Works documents
Instructions for Specifiers documents
Method of Measurement

Downloadable templates replace the former contract specific appendices, supporting consistency in presentation of contract specific requirements across different projects.

The new clause style adopted provides clear and unambiguous requirements. Designed to be contract-neutral, these clauses offer greater agility for use with modern contract forms.

Technical requirements have been aligned with latest standards and industry practice and, in doing so, have a positive impact on health and safety, sustainability and customers, with due consideration of commercial implications.

Country-specific versions are now available to download from the Standards for Highways website, with integrated nationally determined requirements.

The DMRB has been aligned with the updated MCHW with further updates launching in the coming weeks.

This revision supports the use of innovative materials, construction methods, and technologies that could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of highway projects.

All MCHW documents are available in html format, improving accessibility.

When was the updated MCHW launched?

The modernised MCHW was published on 30 September 2025 on the Standards for Highways website. Affected DMRB documents that have been updated as part of this MCHW refresh were published at the same time.

Find out more

Visit the Standards for Highways website.

For any queries, please use the feedback form on the Standards for Highways website.

Webinar - Introducing the updated MCHW

Please join us for this webinar marking the publication of the updated Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW). The updated MCHW will embed quality with clear and unambiguous requirements and a new approach to preparing contract specifications.

We will cover an overview of the key changes, the new document set structure and clause style. An FAQ and support available for transitioning to the updated MCHW will be included. 

Venue: Online

Dates: 22 October 2025, 13 November 2025, 29 January 2026

Register: