Agenda item

(Councillor Tweddle arrived late during the consideration of this item. She took no part in the discussion or vote on the matter to be determined.)

Purpose of the Report

To seek authority to proceed with the first stage of design work, in respect of the proposed bridges and road link, which would form the eastern access point into the Western Growth Corridor site from Tritton Road.

This work was proposed to be funded by the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 (LUF2) grant and was necessary to determine the technical and financial feasibility of the project, prior to the technical design and approval stage.

The decision to proceed with the technical design and ultimately, with the delivery of the project, would be subject to subsequent Executive approvals in each case.

This proposal follows the report to Executive of 20^th February 2023, which set out the plans for the early-phase delivery of the Western Growth Corridor project.

Decision

1.    That the use of LUF2 funds to support the first stage of design work in respect of the proposed bridges and road link, which would form the eastern access point into the Western Growth Corridor site from Tritton Road be approved.

2.    That the proposed delivery arrangements to progress this work via the appointment of a lead contractor, procured under the Pagabo Civils Framework be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None were considered.

Reasons for the Decision

On 20^th February 2023, a report entitled Western Growth Corridor Scheme Delivery was presented to Executive, setting out the proposed delivery arrangements for the Skellingthorpe Road – Southern Access works and for a first phase of housing delivery to follow.

The report also acknowledged the award of £20m funding under the Levelling Up Fund Round 2 (LUF2), which had been secured by the City Council in conjunction with Karl McCartney, to support the delivery of the Eastern Access, connecting the site with Tritton Road. This included the construction of a new all vehicular/cycle/pedestrian bridge over the railway and a pedestrian/cycle bridge replacing the existing pedestrian rail crossing at Oak Farm (opposite the new LN6 development).

Plans to procure a specialist contractor to undertake the project on a design and build basis were set out, in order to ensure deliverability within the LUF2 programme timescales, as summarised in the following extract:

The Council proposes to procure a lead contractor, to undertake the substantive design process to achieve all technical approvals for the bridges and access road. The proposed scope of works would also include the detailed design of the spine road to allow for delivery in the future, if additional funding can be secured. This detailed design work, would be delivered under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) with the purpose being to demonstrate the technical and financial feasibility of the works, to enable the Council to enter into a contract for delivery on a design and build basis. The decision to proceed with a full contract for delivery would be subject to Executive approval at the end of the pre-construction phase. This pre-construction work is proposed to be funded via the main LUF2 grant, subject to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will set out the terms for this funding.

(Western Growth Corridor Scheme Delivery, Executive Report, 20^th February 2023, Section 4.5)

The Council confirmed its acceptance of the LUF2 funding award on 1^st March 2023, via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Transport.

Officers then proceeded with a procurement exercise to secure a lead contractor for the project. This was undertaken via the Pagabo Civils Framework, and a preferred contractor, with extensive experience in delivering road, rail and bridge structures, had now been selected.

Following the selection and due diligence process, the Council now proposed to enter into a Pre-Construction Services Agreement with the preferred contractor to undertake the design of the structures and access road in stages as follows:

Stage 1 – Design Review & Value Engineering Opportunities

Stage 2 – Technical Approval – Proposed Submission

Stage 3 – Technical Approval & Final Contract for Works

The Council proposed to utilise the LUF2 grant to forward fund the design work, in line with the terms of the MoU. Approval was now sought to draw down the budget required for Stage 1, which was required in order to establish the technical and financial feasibility of the works, to enable the Council to proceed with the further design stages and ultimately, to enter into a contract for delivery on a design and build basis.

The proposals would open the door for additional affordable housing in the City which was in desperate need.

The decision to proceed with Stage 2, technical design and Stage 3, delivery would be subject to subsequent Executive approvals in each case.

(Councillor Bob Bushell raised concern that any potential implications relating to the strategic priority of ‘Let’s address the challenge of climate change’ were not incorporated within the officer’s report. It was acknowledged that the overall scheme recognised this priority with appropriate plans in place to address elements as outlined in previous reports.’