WSP has been appointed as the sole supplier to Sefton Council's new Transport Technical Support Services (TTSS) Contract, building on ‘almost a decade of collaboration'.
The tender was advertised at £12m however, sources told Highways that it is a flexible framework, providing support across multiple schemes over time, so the overall spend could vary and isn't tied to a single fixed figure.
Running for an initial four years, the agreement includes options for three additional one-year extensions and provides the council with ‘direct access to multidisciplinary support'. Included in this is programme and strategic advisory services, transport planning, design development across all stages, engineering delivery and construction supervision.
By structuring the contract in this way, the council hopes to have ‘the flexibility and capacity' it needs to progress its transport priorities ‘from early feasibility through to delivery'.
This new contract is intended to support the council's preparation for the delivery of its emerging Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme.
WSP is also expected to work with the council to deliver ‘meaningful social value' for communities across Sefton, including initiatives that focus on children and young people and partnerships by giving them ‘tangible experiences' such as in-work placements and experience, along with in-classroom learning interventions.
Adrian Hames, head of transport and mobility for WSP, said: ‘Over the past eight years, our teams have worked closely with the council to deliver complex, community‑shaping transport projects across the borough. This new agreement gives us the opportunity to continue that journey, bringing our multidisciplinary expertise to help progress the council's transport priorities from early feasibility through to delivery, while strengthening the social value we create with local partners.'
Peter Moore, assistant director of highways and public protection for Sefton Council, added: ‘With the Transport for City Region funding from the Combined Authority, we have the opportunity to deliver further significant travel improvements in Sefton. With the expertise and support services from WSP working alongside our internal teams and expertise, we can make a real difference to how people move around their local area.'
Over the past eight years, WSP has supported the delivery schemes such as Les Transformations de Southport Phase 1, the Maritime Corridor and Southport Eastern Access programme, as well as evidence-gathering and concept design for Bootle's transport and connectivity improvements.
