The consultant is to undertake the detailed design of the pedestrian and cycle bridge. The consultant will be responsible for the overall design from RIBA Stages 0 to 4 with the possibility of further work being commissioned for RIBA Stages 5 and 6, depending on performance as well as whether it can provide value for money.

The design work is necessary to enable a contractor to be appointed to deliver the bridge which is a required to facilitate the redevelopment of Oxpens and Osney as set out in the Oxford Local Plan. Stantec have also been selected to undertake HIF funded path works between the bridge and Osney Mead which will facilitate co ordination and efficiency in the delivery of the works.

The decision has been made to appoint Stantec, working with the specialist bridge architect Knights and project manager Gardiner and Theobald to undertake the design work on the proposed bridge.

Council accepted Growth Deal funding to deliver a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Oxpens/Osney that will link planned new development. As well as supporting the delivery of new development it will providing a convenient and attractive off road walking and cycling route between the City and Osney.

A tender was advertised using the Homes England Property Multi Disciplinary Services Framework portal on 21st May, 2021.

A total of four consultants submitted tender returns on 18th June, 2021.The tenders were evaluated on 60% quality and 40% against the price.  Through this process the consultants were selected. The contract has the value of £220,000.00

The decision was made to enable the work on the design of the bridge to progress to enable delivery to the project funding deadline of March 2023. The design work is time critical to be able to progress the delivery of the bridge.

Alternative routes to procuring the design of the bridge were considered but the use of the Homes England Framework to procure a multi disciplinary team to undertake the design was considered the most expedient way to secure the consultants required. 

Decision taken by Tom Bridgman, Director of Development