PAN0968 - Feasibility Study and Design Consultancy

Belgrave Road is part of the Golden Mile, a locally and nationally important shopping centre. It lies astride the A607, a major radial route into the City Centre and as a result the environment could be improved and the size of the road and the behaviour of the traffic make access between the shops on the two sides of the street difficult. It is surrounded by streets of dense terraced housing resulting in many junctions, most of which are signalised, further adding to the complexity of activity in the street. A new approach to management of the traffic in the street is sought to enable the dominance of traffic to be reduced and the environment for pedestrians and cyclists to be enhanced; this may require space dedicated to vehicles to be reduced and reallocated to pedestrians. It is proposed that we engage a consultant to undertake this work on our behalf to ensure we achieve our objectives. The City Mayor has been involved in a series of meetings with representatives of residents, traders and businesses in and around the Golden Mile and has committed the Council to produce design concepts for Belgrave Road to improve and enhance the environment of the area. A project has not been set up as yet as we are still investigating if the concept is viable and that the above objectives can be achieved. When concept designs have been investigated and if one is supported by the City Mayor and the area representatives we will proceed to start up/Gateway 0. This business case seeks to appoint a consultant to deliver concept designs which will meet the objectives below. Produce concept designs which reduce the dominance of traffic and enhance the environment for pedestrians and cyclists; this may require space dedicated to vehicles to be reduced and reallocated to pedestrians. Identify and engage with stakeholder groups including residents, businesses, disabled people, road users and bus companies to seek to incorporate their views into the design. Create an attractive and welcoming environment for residents, shoppers and visitors Create a safer more accessible environment Assess the impact of reduced traffic flows on the surrounding road network Produce initial costed outline design options which may include: One lane in each direction, two lanes in each direction, retain or remove the central reserve, provision for or restraint on turning maneuvers, parking and loading bays on Belgrave Road, landscaping public realm improvements

Additional information: The consultancy contract will be for an 8 months initial term with the option to extend for up-to the maximum of (6 months).