Don McLure, Strategic Director of Corporate Resources at Derby City Council:
“With over 18 million vehicles using the road each year, the A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme is a key infrastructure project for our city, which will bring significant benefits to a congested part of Derby’s principal road network, offering improved access to the city, improved air quality and supporting wider economic growth.
“Since our last update, we have been working closely with our contractor Galliford Try, to confirm the remaining elements of the project are robust and will be delivered as efficiently as possible.
“Council Cabinet is being asked to approve a revised project budget of £40.3m, plus a £2.9m contingency risk budget. This includes construction costs, projected staffing and consultancy costs, land acquisition and utility diversion estimates. There is a shared confidence between the Council and Galliford Try that the work will be completed within this revised project budget.
“As well as updates on project costs, a full design review has now been completed; a major step forward for the project.
“A number of key changes have been made to the project designs. These include changes to the A52 footbridge, and to the Derwent Parade/Wyvern Way junction. The designs also feature a higher quality road surfacing material which will reduce future maintenance costs.
“Re-development in the area has also been factored into the design review. The changes to the Derwent Parade/Wyvern Way junction offer much greater potential for development in the Derby Triangle and surrounding areas; which is great news for developers.
“In terms of next steps, minor work will continue throughout the coming weeks, and if approved by Cabinet, major work will begin in the coming weeks.
“The first round of major work will focus on the demolition and rebuilding of the A52 footbridge.
“The agreed timetable with Galliford Try for completion of the project is the end of Summer 2020.
“As you know, this project has proved extremely challenging, but we and Galliford Try are fully committed to delivering a robust scheme as soon as we can, so that the long term benefits of this key infrastructure project will be realised.”
Read the full Cabinet Report online.
Read a list of FAQs relating to the bridge closure and demolition.