As part of a £12 million programme of work to replace, strengthen or maintain Blackpool’s bridges, Plymouth Road Bridge which carries the A587 over the Poulton to Blackpool North Railway line, was replaced.
In order to make best use of planned railway track possessions the £7.2m bridge reconstruction scheme was undertaken in conjunction with Network Rail’s planned electrification works.
The traditional approach adopted by most local authorities when carrying out third party works on or adjacent to the railway line is to utilise the Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) route to enter into an agreement with Network Rail.
Blackpool Council worked in collaboration with Network Rail to develop the Implementation Agreement (emerging cost) route as this was identified to have many advantages over the BAPA route including:
- A framework that allows Network Rail to take risk
- Equitable distribution of risk
- Removal of “Industry Risks” from the council.
- The ability to set clear fee funds to act as insurances against a number of rail industry risks, some of which can be prohibitive for a third party
- Safe and sustainable project delivery
- Railway construction expertise
- Possession access – Network Rail negotiated and booked the possession access
- Linking into an established supply chain. The rail framework contracts were already in place, this saved both the cost, and the time, involved in a traditional procurement process.
Blackpool Council re-negotiated the standard Implementation Agreement to suit their bespoke requirements and managed the design process. Network Rail’s framework contractor was appointed by the council at the outset to assist with Early Contractor Involvement to drive early review of buildability and value-driven solutions.
Network Rail Infrastructure Projects managed the project from Grip Stage 6 (construction). Blackpool Council maintained governance of the project and supervised the works on the site.
The challenging project was delivered on time and on budget.
The site was visited by Paul Maynard (local MP and Under Secretary of State for the Department for Transport), Martin Frobisher (Managing Director for Network Rail) and Councillor Jackson. All were very positive about the project and how it had been delivered in collaboration with Network Rail.
Will Britain, Head of Highways & Traffic Management Services at Blackpool Council, said: “A lot of forward planning and collaboration was required. Blackpool Council worked closely with Network Rail IP, Wilde Consulting Engineers and Story Contracting. Setting up the Implementation Agreement with Network Rail was the key to ensuring this project was completed on time. We need to celebrate the success of this partnership and the lessons learnt with other local authorities.”
Images courtesy of Story.