North Portsea Coastal Scheme - Phase 5: Ports Creek

The proposed coastal defence works at Ports Creek involve the construction of an earth embankment with a rock revetement toe. It also includes consolidation and partial removal of existing defence structures and associated works. In some instances, redundant structures will be removed and appropriately reused or disposed of, to minimise foreshore encroachment, for the benefit of the wider environment. The current defences are made up of multiple structures, generally comprising of mass concrete filled oil drums along with dilapidated seawalls formed of mass concrete/block/masonry.

The main works take place between the eastern side of the Portsbridge Roundabout through to the Network Rail bridge. The works consist of constructing a sloping revetment with a raised earth embankment along most of the frontage.

Other ancillary works include: piling around an outfall, path construction, concrete works to an existing slipway and tying into Network Rail land and working to Network Rail constraints in this area. The Contractor will have to work with Network Rail and follow an agreed safe method of working when in the vicinity of the railway line bridge.

ECI

In line with industry practice the council's designer (Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV)) has sought and obtained early contractor involvement input from JT Mackley in order to inform aspects of design, work method, site establishment and management, programme & costings.

The council is satisfied that prior involvement of ECI contractor is compliant with the conditions set out within sub section 5 of Public Contract Regulation 2015. However, the council will provide summarised information concerning the ECI activities and associated outputs within the tender documents that will be issued to the short listed tenderers.

Core Scope of Works

In summary the works will generally consist of:

• Site mobilisation and set up
• Vegetation clearance (including mature trees) and site clearance and access ways
• Construction of earth embankments fronted with rock revetments for scour protection
• Installation of flex MSE retaining walls
• Improvements to existing slipway structure and encasement of existing bridge abutment
• Ensuring existing services are accommodated in the works (e.g outfalls)
• General reinstatement, with high specification public realm enhancements and landscaping

Due to the impact of the scheme, engagement with local businesses, leaseholders and the general public has been undertaken. To date the scheme has received a mostly positive response.

The project is subject to funding from the Environment Agency and there is currently a shortfall in respect of the current funding. However the council is working with the funder & is confident that funding required will be secured in principle prior to issue of the tender & fully secured prior to award of contract.