Construction work

Tender description

This procurement exercise is for a contract for Chester-le-Street Flood Alleviation Scheme. At present the Council has submitted an application for funding to ensure the delivery of the scope and achievement of the strategic objectives for this Flood Alleviation Scheme from a range of sources including ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), Environment Agency funding in the form of Local Levy and Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) and Durham County Council. Should the Council be unsuccessful in obtaining all funding the Project may be modified accordingly, (unless an alternative funding source is identified). Progression of this procurement exercise and any award of this contract opportunity will be conditional on confirmation of sufficient funds being available and/or modification of the Project. The market town of Chester-le-Street has a history of flooding with recent major events occurring in 1979, 1996 and 2012 with local residential property, businesses and infrastructure significantly affected. Current formal flood defences protect the town of Chester-le-Street from flooding from the Cong Burn, these defences consist of a flood wall along Pelton Fell Road and a primary screen which is situated upstream of a long culvert, allowing the Cong Burn to flow through the main town centre and market place. The key benefits from a scheme will be through the reduction in flood risk to residential properties, non-residential properties, and infrastructure in Chester-le-Street town centre. Included within the scope of works is the: — daylighting of 90 m of twin bore culvert and providing a significant ‘blue green’ corridor in the current area of the market place, — provision of landscaping, footpaths and seating areas in the new ‘blue green’ space for public use, — extension of the existing wall by 10 m in length and building of a new earth bund adjacent to Pelton Fell Road upstream of the culvert inlet. The completed work will benefit the businesses located around the Cong Burn, it will also benefit residents in the area. The public will benefit from an improved and safer environment, free from significant flood risk and ensuring the local highways remain open and safe for all network users. Flood prevention works have already taken place by Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and Durham County Council. However, further work is needed to reduce flood risks in the longer term in this area.