Councillors are to consider the next on-site works to deliver major infrastructure projects in Renfrewshire.
Land-based ground investigations are a key stage in developing the designs for the ‘Glasgow Airport Investment Area’ and the ‘Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside’ projects.
Funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the ambitious projects will secure Renfrewshire’s long term economic future.
By constructing a Renfrew North Development Road and realigning Abbotsinch Road, creating new cycle routes, and building new bridges across both the White Cart and the Clyde, they will place the area at the heart of a world-class business location.
The proposal to approve the land-based ground investigations contract is the second to be considered by councillors, who recently green-lit separate overwater site investigations.
Involving the gathering of geotechnical and environmental information, both land-based and overwater site investigations are highly technical in nature and require distinct expertise.
Following a competitive tender process, elected members of Renfrewshire Council’s Procurement Sub-committee will consider a proposal to award a contract for land-based investigations to Environmental Reclamation Services Ltd.
The company submitted the most economically advantageous tender, while also exceeding the standards required to be considered highly experienced and technically able to deliver the works.
If the contract is approved by councillors, the planned works would cost £639,426 and would be due to be completed by 26 June 2017.
Renfrewshire Council sought community benefits as part of the procurement process and the recommended bidder committed to delivering several of these within their bid.
These include conducting presentations in local schools to encourage awareness of the industry and educate pupils, attending events to encourage local businesses to apply for subcontracting opportunities, and to assist a community archaeology project with ground clearance works.
The company also committed to paying all its staff the Living Wage – helping ensure workers earn enough to make ends meet.
Renfrewshire Council’s Procurement Sub-committee will consider the proposal to award the contract at its meeting on Wednesday 25 January.
The £90.7 million ‘Clyde Waterfront and Renfrew Riverside’ initiative and the £39.1 million ‘Glasgow Airport Investment Area’ venture are two of three City Deal funded major infrastructure projects in Renfrewshire.
Along with the £144 million Airport Access Project – providing the long sought-after direct rail link between Glasgow Airport, Paisley and Glasgow City Centre – they will attract inward investment, create jobs and cement the region’s place as the economic powerhouse of Scotland.
All three projects were approved by Renfrewshire Council in November with City Deal funding agreed by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet in December.
Following on from the initial public consultation events in May 2016, further public engagement events held in December continued to demonstrate overwhelming support for the projects, with early