Big step forward in King’s Dyke project

Cambridgeshire County Council revealed that after receiving three bids, they have identified the preferred contractor to finalise the design and build contract for the King’s Dyke scheme. The council have not revealed details of the deal, including the cost and the name of the preferred firm.

Cambridgeshire County Council leader Cllr Steve Count said: “This is a huge milestone achievement for the project and I’m pleased the bold decision to re-tender the design and build contract was taken.

“If we had awarded the contract in August last year, a £41.6 million budget would have been needed. Now it’s been re-tendered, subject to committee approval, almost £10 million will be saved.

“We already have £29.98 million approved to fund this project and we’ll be asking the General Purposes Committee and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to consider approving an additional £2.018 million.”

Cllr Chris Boden, local member and leader of Fenland District Council, said: “I cannot stress how much this scheme is needed and how the project will benefit the local community by reducing journey times and unlocking new development opportunities including job growth.”

Cllr Count added: “Obviously, we will now need to work with the new contractor and consider the impact COVID-19 might now have but we are still aiming to start on site by the end of the year, as promised.”

The council will now work with the contractor to discuss what effect the coronavirus pandemic will have on the project.

It is being recommended that a specific COVID-19 project contingency budget is created to allow the project to proceed as quickly as possible. The General Purposes Committee will be asked for £1.5 million to fund any additional costs directly associated with the project caused by the impact of coronavirus. If approved, this will be closely managed and only used if necessary.

The next steps and outcome of the tender process will be discussed at the Economy and Environment Committee followed by the General Purposes Committee, both next week, on Thursday 23 April. At these meetings the final decision to award the contract to the preferred bidder will be taken. Both meetings will be carried out virtually and the public will be able to view online.