Guildford Borough Council has advertised a £26m contract for a road bridge that will replace a level crossing over the railway in Surrey.
The Ash Road Bridge scheme, which is subject to final detailed design, comprises a new road bridge over the railway south of Ash Station and a pedestrian footbridge with disabled access.
The scheme will close Ash level crossing (above), which the council says will improve safety, reduce traffic congestion and encourage traffic off of rural roads, which drivers currently use to avoid the level crossing.
The council, which is not a highway authority, describes the area as a ‘congestion hotspot’, with the level crossing causing delays to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. It closes around eight times an hour or 150 times a day with closures totalling up to 25 minutes per hour.
It adds that the scheme will also enable housing allocated in its Local Plan to come forward.
The contract notice states that the council is looking to appoint a single supplier on a design and build basis. It cites a requirement in its plan for land for both the bridge scheme and approximately 1,750 homes.
Announcing the decision to advertise the job earlier in the summer, the council said the aim was ‘to test the appetite for this complex project’.
It said inflation and rising energy prices mean the forecast construction budget has risen, noting that the previous total budget for the road bridge, approved in April 2021, was £33.77m. It said that after the tender process councillors will discuss any budget and funding increases.
The scheme has provisionally secured £10m from Homes England and £2.5m from Network Rail.
Cllr John Rigg, lead councillor for regeneration, said the council also had contributions from developers.
He said: ‘This important project comes at a very difficult time for the construction industry. It is a significant investment. Price rises and uncertainties mean that we must check we get best value.
‘This process is likely to cause a delay. We remain committed to delivering this important piece of infrastructure for the borough. We are also continuing work to secure the approvals needed to build the road bridge. Our aim is to start on site in 2023 and complete the construction of the road bridge by Summer 2024.’
The level crossing will be closed to vehicle traffic when the road bridge opens but pedestrians will be able to use the level crossing until the footbridge has been completed.
The deadline for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is 17 October, with 1 November the estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates.
