Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of Place

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director of Place, which set out proposals for a Swanswell Viaduct Refurbishment Scheme.

The Swanswell Viaduct Refurbishment Scheme involved the structural refurbishment of substandard elements on the Coventry Ring Road between Junctions 1 and 4.

In order to maintain its capacity, the Ring Road structure has had cyclic inspections and maintenance carried out since its construction in the 1960’s and 70’s.  However, supporting elements of the viaduct were in need of essential maintenance and/or upgrading.  Some of the key features of the viaduct, such as parapet and edge required upgrading, with deck joints and waterproofing to be replaced to prolong the life of the structure.

As outlined and approved in the 2016/17 Transportation and Highway Maintenance Capital Programme Cabinet Report (Minute 129/15 refers), the Council were successful in securing £5.5m of Department for Transport (DfT), Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Funding, with a requirement for 10% (£550k) contribution from the Council.  In total £6.05m was available to spend on the refurbishment of the structure. DfT funding conditions required all funds to be spent by end of financial year 2017/18.

In order to meet the tight delivery timescales imposed by the DfT funding conditions, the scheme works were proceeding. An initial high level structural review had been completed to confirm that the assumptions made within the bid process were correct.  Following the high level review an options report was produced to prioritise deficiencies.  A design consultant was appointed through the existing Shared Professional Services Contract (SPSC) to carry out the high level review and subsequent options report as well as project management of the works.

The options report required extensive intrusive testing on the structure which was procured via the existing Highway Maintenance Contract (HMC).  It was recommended that a design consultant be appointed via mini-competition through the existing SPSC to carry out detailed design works. SPSC requirements required works above £50k to be awarded through a competitive tender process.

It was recommended that the procurement of the Principal Contractor to carry out the core refurbishment work be undertaken through Birmingham City Council’s Highways and Infrastructure Framework through a competitive tender process.  Framework suppliers had already been approached to gauge interest and to confirm the works were within their area of expertise. It was expected that the refurbishment element would total circa £5m.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:-

1.  Note the funding award from the Department for Transport, Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund of £5.5million for the purposes of refurbishing the Swanswell Viaduct.

2.  Approve the advanced design consultancy costs of £0.1million to determine and prioritise the sub-standard elements on the structure along with the associated project management costs to be procured via the West Midlands Highway Alliance (WMHA) Shared Professional Services Contract (SPSC).

3.  Approve the investigation work costs of £0.25million via the Highways Maintenance Contract (HMC) 2011-2016.

4.  Approve procurement of the detailed design via mini-competition through the West Midlands Highway Alliance (WMHA) Shared Professional Services Contract (SPSC). The value expected to be circa £0.5million.

5.  Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for City Services, for the appointment of a Principal Contractor for the works through and competitive procedure under Birmingham City Council’s Highways and Infrastructure Framework.