Specification for Highway Works (SHW)
The Specification for Highway Works (SHW) provides constructor requirements for the implementation of highway works and is to be used as the base specification in highway contracts.
Welcome to the MCHW
The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) has been modernised and republished in September 2025 to embed quality, improve contract preparation and enable future construction practices. Key changes include: a new document set structure, a new consistent clause style, dedicated country-specific versions, new templates to replace contract specific appendices, technical updates to reflect industry practice and updates to the DMRB. Essential guidance to support the transition to the updated MCHW is available on the MCHW Information hub. Please note this link will open an external website.
The MCHW is arranged in three document sets
- the Specification for Highway Works (SHW),
- the Instructions for Specifiers (IfS)
- and the Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW).
Please note, the structure of the MCHW changed in September 2025; the MCHW was previously arranged in volumes.
Previous versions of the MCHW are available using the search functionality above. The search results page provides the ability to filter by volume structure where applicable. Please ensure you are using the correct version of the MCHW as per your contract.
Indexes for each document set can be accessed here:
MCHW document set filters
Instructions for Specifiers (IfS)
The Instructions for Specifiers (IfS) is a set of instructions to the Specifier; that is, the party compiling the contract specification, on the inclusion of contract specific requirements using Works Specific Requirements (WSR) templates. The IfS documents also replicate the SHW requirements within their texts to aid the compilation of the contract-specific requirements.
Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW)
The Method of Measurement for Highway Works (MMHW) provides the methods of measurement to be used for the preparation of bills of quantities.