Oldham Council is seeking a strategic delivery partner to deliver a series of ‘high-quality’ public realm and highway improvement works across its area, potentially worth millions of pounds.
The highway authority has published a prior information notice (PIN) for the Sustainable Oldham Strategic Partnership Agreement (SOSPA) ahead of the expected publication of a contract notice on 9 June.
According to the PIN, the SOSPA is intended to promote a partnering and collaborative approach to delivering a programme of construction works where partner and employer work together to optimise delivery and remain committed to continuous improvement.
‘The Partner could be a single organisation or group of organisations that bring together the necessary expertise, techniques, and collaborative approach to partnership working.’
The PIN lists a variety of possible works under the arrangement, including construction and foundation work for highways, roads, motorways, junctions, highways and elevated highways, footpaths, cycle paths and pedestrian zones, as well as surfacing and resurfacing works.
No value or timescales are given for the works involved and these appear to depend on the council securing various funding streams.
The council’s December 2022 Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2027/28 lists key elements of its current Transport Capital Programme, much of which is funded through City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) cash via the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The council is developing bids for CRSTS cash for three schemes totalling around £16m that could be delivered under the partnership
- £7.2m for Accessible Oldham Phase 2 - St Marys Way Streets for All scheme;
- £4.5m for Mumps Corridor Highway Improvements;
- £4.5m for Beal Valley / Broadbent Moss Accessibility Improvements
It has already secured £4.5m CRSTS ‘Strategic Maintenance’ cash to refurbish the Manchester Street Viaduct – ‘one of the borough’s largest and busiest highway structures’ – but this is likely to be procured separately.
The council describes the viaduct, which was constructed in the late 1970s, as in a poor and deteriorating condition and says the planned works will ensure that it meets its design working life of 120 years.
The council is contributing £2m maintenance block funding towards the £6.5m cost of the project.
Its capital strategy also includes £3m CRSTS cash a year between 2022/23 and 2026/27 for highway maintenance and ongoing work to bridges at Waterloo Street and Wellington Street funded by a £3.8m Highway Maintenance Challenge Fund grant from the Department for Transport.
