Planning

HE0914 A350 Chippenham Duelling Scheme April 2023

  • Wiltshire Council

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-028886

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-037589

Published 13 October 2022, 4:06pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

BA14 8JN

Contact

Mr Dave Gillett

Email

david.gillett@wiltshire.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1255713371

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKK15 - Wiltshire CC

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/

Buyer's address

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

HE0914 A350 Chippenham Duelling Scheme April 2023

Reference number

DN637737

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 45233100 - Construction work for highways, roads

two.1.3) Type of contract

Works

two.1.4) Short description

The A350 is one of the most important routes in Wiltshire. It is a primary north-south route with regional significance connecting the south coast with the M4 and onwards to Bristol and the Midlands. In Wiltshire it passes around the principal settlements of Chippenham and Trowbridge via the town of Melksham and on to Westbury and Warminster.

It has been a longstanding priority to improve north-south connectivity along the A350, and Wiltshire Council has been progressively bringing forward the dualling of the A350 Chippenham bypass.

Over recent years three major capital schemes (Phases 1, 2 and 3) have been brought forward to improve capacity and safety on the route, largely funded through successful Department for Transport (DfT) and/or Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) funding bids.

Most recently, an Outline Business Case (OBC) bid was made to DfT for funding to bring forward a scheme to complete the dualling of the A350 bypass at Chippenham.

In the spending review in October 2021 the government announced that it would allocate funds for a scheme to dual the remaining single carriageway sections of the A350 route round Chippenham. The project was also included within the list of forthcoming infrastructure projects as part of The Growth Plan 2022 published in September 2022.

Wiltshire Council and its consultants Atkins are now pressing forward to complete the design of the remaining Phases 4 and 5 of the scheme, and preparing the Full Business Case (FBC). Subject to the FBC being approved by the DfT, it is anticipated that construction works will be undertaken during 2024 and 2025.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 45233120 - Road construction works
  • 45233121 - Main road construction works
  • 45233122 - Ring road construction work
  • 45233128 - Roundabout construction work
  • 45233221 - Road-surface painting work
  • 45233224 - Dual carriageway construction work
  • 45233124 - Trunk road construction work
  • 45233210 - Surface work for highways
  • 45233280 - Erection of road-barriers
  • 45233290 - Installation of road signs
  • 45233130 - Construction work for highways
  • 45233293 - Installation of street furniture
  • 45233300 - Foundation work for highways, roads, streets and footpaths
  • 45233310 - Foundation work for highways

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK15 - Wiltshire CC

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The A350 is one of the most important routes in Wiltshire. It is a primary north-south route with regional significance connecting the south coast with the M4 and onwards to Bristol and the Midlands. In Wiltshire it passes around the principal settlements of Chippenham and Trowbridge via the town of Melksham and on to Westbury and Warminster.

It has been a longstanding priority to improve north-south connectivity along the A350, and Wiltshire Council has been progressively bringing forward the dualling of the A350 Chippenham bypass.

Over recent years three major capital schemes (Phases 1, 2 and 3) have been brought forward to improve capacity and safety on the route, largely funded through successful Department for Transport (DfT) and/or Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) funding bids.

Most recently, an Outline Business Case (OBC) bid was made to DfT for funding to bring forward a scheme to complete the dualling of the A350 bypass at Chippenham.

In the spending review in October 2021 the government announced that it would allocate funds for a scheme to dual the remaining single carriageway sections of the A350 route round Chippenham. The project was also included within the list of forthcoming infrastructure projects as part of The Growth Plan 2022 published in September 2022.

Wiltshire Council and its consultants Atkins are now pressing forward to complete the design of the remaining Phases 4 and 5 of the scheme, and preparing the Full Business Case (FBC). Subject to the FBC being approved by the DfT, it is anticipated that construction works will be undertaken during 2024 and 2025.

The scheme is likely to include for the following key elements:-

• Phase 4 dualling: widening the A350 over a total distance of some 1.5km to dual 2-lane between Chequers roundabout and Lackham roundabout. The dualling would take place within the existing wide highway verge to the west of the current carriageway.

• Phase 5 dualling: widening the A350 over a total distance of some 1.75km to dual 2-lane between Cepen Park South roundabout and Bumpers Farm roundabout. Again, the dualling would take place within the existing wide highway verge to the west of the current carriageway. When implemented with Phase 4, this would extend the dualling to cover the full stretch of the A350 Chippenham Bypass.

• Bumpers Farm Roundabout capacity enhancements: increasing the circulatory from 2 lanes to 3; signalising 4 approach arms; increasing approach arms from A350 (S), A420 (W), A350 (N) and A420 (E) to 3 lanes; and dualling the exits onto the A420 (E) and A420 (W); and

• Lackham roundabout capacity enhancements: dualling the exit to the A350 north as part of the phase 4 works.

The works will be designed and built in accordance with current standards and guidelines, and will include for all key aspects of highway construction – earthworks, carriageway, footways, drainage, street lighting, signage, statutory authority (gas, water electric etc) service diversions and provision, and hard and soft landscaping works.

The works will be contained within the existing highway boundary extents and there should be no requirement for additional land. The existing bridges along this route were constructed to accommodate the additional carriageways without needing further major works, and as such there are no major structural works anticipated.

The A350 route will need to remain in operation throughout the works, and as such careful traffic management considerations and phasing, particularly in connection with the Bumpers Farm Roundabout enhancements, will be required. There will be a desire to minimise impacts on traffic flows during the works and ensure that the scheme is undertaken with suitable and appropriate levels of public engagement and liaison.

Further general information regarding the background to the project and its current status can be found at the following web link:- A350 highway improvements - Wiltshire Council

Wiltshire Council intent to hold a Market Engagement webinar on Thursday 17th November 2022 at 11:00AM via Microsoft Teams. The purpose of the event will be to inform the market of the current developing scheme proposals, and to enable supply chain feedback to help influence and shape the scheme development and procurement strategy.

This opportunity is likely to be of interest to organisations with a track record of delivering major highways infrastructure contracts. Any suppliers interested in attending should express an interest via email to Stephen.Wilson@wiltshire.gov.uk and they will receive further information regarding the event details.

Should you be interested in attending the event please express your interest by emailing names, roles and contact details to the abovementioned e-mail address by no later than 12:00 Noon on Friday 11th November 2022.

This notice is not a call for competition. Contractors expressing interest in attending the event should note that it would be necessary to respond separately to any contract notice in due course.

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £22,000,000

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

3 April 2023


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes