Construction of a series of high quality public realm and landscaping improvements to the A5139 Dock Road between East Float Apartments and Duke Street, providing increased accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to the Wirral Waters West Float development and increased attractiveness of the area for businesses and other investors in the area.

Grant funded by ESIF (European Structural and Investments Funds), this scheme  primarily involves works to construct 590m of shared cycleway-footway with associated soft and hard landscaping using high-quality public realm materials, boundary fencing and street furniture, new street lighting columns and utility service corridors incorporating digital futureproofing infrastructure. These improvements will extend the works completed in 2019 along the adjacent Northbank East  Dock Road frontage between Tower Road and East Float Apartments, as far as Duke Street and  link directly into current STEP (Sustainable Transport Enhancement Programme) cycling infrastructure proposals and recently completed STEP improvements that will connect between Liscard and Birkenhead.

This work supports the Wirral Council Plan 2020-25, underpinning the main drivers of sustainable regeneration and addressing the climate emergency through the promotion of green and healthy living.

Resolved – That

1.  the tender for Northbank West, Birkenhead submitted by Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd to Wirral Council on 6th April 2020 be accepted; and

2.  the award of contract to Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd, in the sum of £572,373.35, subject to contract be approved.

Tenders for the construction works were invited on 9th March 2020 from eight suppliers, selected from the appropriate categories within Constructionline and following a selective questionnaire (SQ) process. Tender return date was 6th April 2020.

Seven tenders were received by the due date and have been evaluated, with moderation of the process by the Council’s Procurement service.

Consequently the tender from Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd was the most economically advantageous and was recommended for acceptance.