Structures construction work

Tender description

The Council ultimately wishes to appoint a main contractor to undertake the works for this heritage-led regeneration and renewable energy scheme. The project is intended to: 1. Replace the Council's Hydro Electric Power (HEP) turbine in the Luxulyan Valley, 2. Carry out the conservation works required to the Treffry Viaduct and the leats to provide a regular and sufficient water supply to the turbine, 3. Implement the management plan for the Valley to provide a much enhanced experience for the local community and visitors. Each of these strands addresses key issues, and the business case is by far the strongest if all three are implemented together. The Council owns most of the Valley, which is one of its most popular countryside sites; and the Treffry Viaduct, a Scheduled Monument and iconic structure, is owned by Cornwall Heritage Trust. The leats and Treffry Viaduct are key elements of the international importance of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site. It is proposed that the project will be funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cornwall Heritage Trust, and Cornwall Council prudential borrowing. The cost of the new turbine will have to be entirely funded from the Council's prudential borrowing. The overall Project will include the necessary conservation works to the Treffry Viaduct and the 2,7 miles of the leat system that supplies water to the HEP turbine, for which Heritage Lottery funding (HLF) will be required. The CC owned existing HEP turbine has reached the end of its economic life, and is now making a financial loss due to greatly reduced water flow as a result of Carmears Leat being dry. CC have had to cut off the water supply for Carmears Leat because it was leaking so badly through the aquaduct channel of the Treffry Viaduct. The Viaduct is on English Heritage's Heritage at Risk Register, and following a recent Condition Survey this Register grades the Treffry Viaduct's condition as Poor, and the priority as A.