Decision details

1.     Chippenham station hub is a Local Growth Funded project delivered in partnership with the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), for which Wiltshire Council is acting as Scheme Promotor and Accountable Body.

2.     A key element of Chippenham station hub is a new lift on the northern platform.

3.     This report seeks authority to sign a fixed-price Implementation Agreement for £1,048,279 with Network Rail to enable the construction of a new lift at Chippenham station, and delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Place and Environment to sign the contract and agree terms, conditions and any other consequential matters.

I approve the proposals as advertised.

This decision was published on 15 December 2020 and will come into force on 23 December 2020.

To enter into a fixed-price Implementation Agreement with Network Rail to enable Network Rail to appoint the preferred contractor and start the construction of a new lift at Chippenham Station to provide step-free station access.

An emerging cost (i.e. not fixed) Legal Implementation Agreement (whereby Wilshire Council would bear some of the risk), was also considered but discounted by both Wiltshire Council project and legal teams as it exposed the council to unnecessary risk.

1.     The Chippenham station lift project has been developed by Network Rail (the delivery partners) in consultation with the SWLEP who are funding the project and Wiltshire Council. There has also been consultation with key stakeholders such as GWR, Trans Wilts, Local Councillors and the public.

2.     The legal agreement was developed in consultation with Wiltshire Council’s legal team with input from Network Rail and the SWLEP.