Diving, Confined Space and Remote Camera Inspections of Highway Bridges

Cornwall Council is the Highway Authority for the county’s road network with the exception of the trunk roads (A30 and A38) which are managed by the Highways Agency. Cornwall Council currently has in place a direct ‘passporting’ of appropriate works arrangement with CORMAC Solutions.

CORMAC Solutions Limited was formed on 1.4.2012. It is an arms-length, wholly owned company of Cornwall Council responsible for delivering a wide range of services to the Council and residents of Cornwall.

CORMAC Solutions will therefore act as the main body responsible for managing the inspection of highway bridges. In accordance with the Highways Act 1980, CORMAC Solutions is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of highway structures which mainly take the form of bridges, culverts and retaining walls.

All highway bridges and culverts which are the responsibility of CORMAC Solutions receive a biennial general inspection. Approximately 20 % of these structures present problems of access so that a diving or remote camera inspection is required as part of the general inspection.

CORMAC Solutions wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Contractor to provide the service for these inspections. A variety of construction types will be encountered in the inspection programme, including pre-cast concrete and granite slab culverts, larger masonry arch structures and more modern reinforced concrete bridges.

Structures covered by this Framework are grouped according to their total span. The Tenderer is required to give a lump sum price for inspections of structures in each span range and a lump sum price for remote camera surveys.

From time to time, and in addition to the scheduled inspections, it may be necessary to engage the services of the Consultant for other inspection work. A schedule of hourly and mileage rates for this work is required and is to be included in the Framework.

The Framework Agreement will be awarded to the company submitting the most economically advantageous tender to CORMAC Solutions having regard to both quality and price. The intention is to award the Framework for a 2-year period, with the option of a further 2-year extension.

Additional information: In the case of diving inspections the inspection is to be carried out by a HSE registered diving team. Where the inspection involves entering a confined space the team is to be trained and have passed an assessment to a recognised national standard for confined space entry.

The HSE Registered diving team must be a full member of the Association of Diving Contractors. All inspections are to be carried out in the presence of a Chartered Civil Engineer. All inspection reports are to be checked and authorised for issue to the Employer by a Chartered Civil Engineer.