SS16023 Faversham Creek Bridge

Kent County Council (the Employer) is the largest local authority in England covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of over £1bn on goods and services and a population of 1.3m.

The Employer provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and 289 parish/town councils. The Employer consists of four operational directorates which are: Adult Social Care and Health (ASCH) Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Growth, Environment and Transport (GET) Strategic and Corporate Services (ST) This requirement is for Faversham Creek Bridge within the Growth, Environment and Transport (GET) Directorate.

The project requires a new opening bridge to be installed to replace the existing opening bridge at Bridge Road in the historic market town of Faversham, Kent. The existing bridge is a two span structure carrying Bridge Road over Faversham Creek in north Kent.

It was originally constructed in 1881 to replace a sliding footbridge. The superstructure of the bridge was strengthened in 1941 and replaced again in 1976.

This requirement is for the design, construction and installation of a replacement and operational swing bridge. The bridge carries vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists across the Faversham Creek, an inlet of the Swale Estuary in the town centre.

Historically the opening bridge allowed access for marine (commercial and pleasure) craft to access the Upper Creek and its wharves. However, the bridge has not opened for a number of years due to its poor condition and is now considered beyond economic repair.

The option of a fixed bridge structure has been considered but this would prevent access to the Upper Creek and future regeneration of the area. The project is well supported locally with Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council and Faversham Town Council in agreement that a new bridge is required, along with community groups providing funding.

Following the installation of a new bridge plans can be developed for dredging and reinstatement of old wharves as well as the development of marine skills training at the existing centre in the Purifier Building and marine based activities. Faversham Creek is tidal and fed by a stream.

Water can be retained in the Upper Creek via a set of lock gates which are beneath the bridge. Contractors need to have regard for these lock gates and their protection when developing their design and when constructing the bridge.

However, it is not currently envisaged that these lock gates will be included in the scope of the project. If further funding is available, the Employer reserves the right to extend the Works to include supply and installation of lock gates should funding become available, but only works of protection should be included in the Tender Prices. It is expected that the contract will commence in October 2017 with onsite construction commencing in Spring 2018 or Additional information: Instructions to Suppliers: Please refer to the Kent Business Portal