Consultants required for Fylde coast project
Blackpool Council is looking to appoint a transport planning consultant, as well as a design and engineering consultant to work on the £100m Fylde Coast transport project.
The council is undertaking a project to assess the potential for developing the tram and train networks in the Fylde Coast sub-region which aims to improve its transport network as well as providing better access to other national and international rail or air hubs.
The council intends to appoint the consultancy services in two lots to undertake a study of the options available to Blackpool.
The transport planning consultant contract covers Lot 1 and the engineering and design consultant contract covers Lot 2.
Companies are being advised that further information for each proposed contract will be provided in the pre-qualification questionnaire.
The work being covered in both lots includes:
- Assisting with the Department for Transport and other approval processes including inputting into the business case and other reports
- Assisting the council with the management of interfaces with stakeholders, including Blackpool Airport, relevant train operating companies including Northern Rail, the rail company operating the South Fylde line, Blackpool Transport Services, Bombardier, the Blackpool Tramway vehicle supplier, Office of Rail Regulation, and other relevant authorities including other local authorities
- Carrying out estimates of capital costs, maintenance and operating costs, usage and revenues from all sources of each proposed option
In June last year, it was announced that the Blackpool to Fleetwood tramway would get an upgrade worth around £100m.
The Department for Transport is investing £68.3m into the scheme. Blackpool Council is investing £17.7m and Lancashire County Council is investing £15.2m, with a further £400,000 of investment coming from the INTERREG North West Europe programme, which is a financial instrument of the European Union's Cohesion Policy.
The tramway, which is owned by Blackpool Council, has been operating since 1885 and runs from the town along the Fylde Coast into Lancashire, serving Cleveleys and Fleetwood.
Blackpool's heritage trams will continue to run in front of the tower on the central section when the fleet of new 'super trams' are operating by 2012.
Deadline for submitting tenders is Thursday 27 May at 5pm.
- For more details contact Paul Grocott at Blackpool Council on 01253 476 002 or email paul.grocott@blackpool.gov.uk
