Decision details

A proposal to approve the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF2) – A40 Eynsham to Wolvercote construction contract.

The Chair introduced the item and invited officers to explain the content within the report.

Officers noted the stretch of road was 3.1km long from the Eynsham Park and Ride to the Wolvercote Bridge and that it was being proposed in stages. Stage 1 would include enabling works, mitigations and engineering exercises, whilst Stage 2 would be for construction works, including widening the carriages on both sides for bus lanes, active travel enhancements and road crossings.

Officers noted that a key part of the scheme was to connect the previously constructed Park and Ride with the carriageway on the A40. The scheme also sought to enhance public transport use, reduce journey times and increase active travel.

Officers confirmed that the purpose of this report was to seek approval to award the contract to Balfour Beatty to carry out the works.

The Chair made it clear that this was something that needed to go ahead to deal with the traffic issues on the A40 and once completed, would hopefully improve people’s traffic experience.

The Chair asked if there was contingency plans in place for budgetary overrun and officers confirmed funding was in place for the scheme.

The Chair thanked officers and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a) Delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Head of Legal and Governance Services (Deputy Monitoring officer) to:

i)               Subject to finalising the scope, target cost, and programme for Stage 1 as well as the Option X22 Budget and Pricing Information, to approve the award of the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract, for an estimated total value of £70m, for the A40 Eynsham Park and Ride to Wolvercote scheme to Balfour Beatty Group Limited under the Scape Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Framework (Lot 2); and

ii)             Subject to finalising the scope, target cost and programme for Stage 2, approve the issuing of a Notice to Proceed under the Contract to commence the main construction works.