Construction Work Continues
During the construction work shops and businesses will remain open for business as usual. Although hoardings will be put in place to section off areas under construction, access to businesses will be available at all times. The scheme will do its utmost to minimise disruption and it is asked that people be patient while the work is on-going.
Your Queries
Officers will be on hand to deal with any queries or issues that arise as a result of the ongoing work. Businesses and traders who have comments, questions or concerns about the construction work can contact the site agent Tim Bowers on 07970125381 or e-mail tim.bowers@birse.co.uk.
Construction Diary
A Construction Diary is being published here. It will be updated periodically and will include images of the construction works.
Progress
See Construction Progress.
Gas Main Diversion
It became evident that a gas main running through the town centre is buried less deeply than was previously believed. Despite every effort by Darlington Council to ensure all investigations were carried out to find the pipe’s exact location using radar surveys before work began, it was discovered that the main was buried approximately 400mm below the ground, rather than the anticipated 800mm. The pipe was installed in 1900 and is the feeder pipe for the west of Darlington. It runs from the Northgate roundabout through to the Blackwellgate/Skinnergate area of the town centre and will need to be diverted, between Prospect Place and Horsemarket.
The pipe would have been installed by a predecessor of Darlington Borough Council, as at that time the council provided all gas, electricity and water for the town. The main is now owned by Northern Gas Networks, which employs United Utilities to operate its system.
Darlington Borough Council has worked closely with United Utilities, with meetings, negotiations and options analysis progressing quickly to enable work to be carried out to divert the gas main (a major project in its own right). This diversion has had an impact on the Pedestrian Heart programme, but every effort is being made to regain lost time.
Contractor
Birse Civils Limited based in North Yorkshire was appointed in July 2005 to create Darlington's Pedestrian Heart. During the Summer of 2005, the company started planning its work schedule and programme for development as well as liaising with other organisations such as utility companies.
Birse Civils Ltd started work on site in the autumn of 2005 and it is anticipated that the project will be completed by Summer 2007. The company has appointed a site agent/public liaison officer to work with town centre stakeholders and users, including retailers, businesses and the public.
Newsletter
Town Centre Management, working alongside the Town Centre Board, produce a regular e-newsletter entitled "Darlington Towntalk". This is sent to town centre businesses and other organisations with an interest in the town centre and contains latest news and events updates, as well as other useful town centre related features, information and business advice. This newsletter will feature updates on the Pedestrian Heart Scheme as works progress. Contact details are as follows:
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town.centre@darlington.gov.uk |
| Telephone: |
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(01325) 352834 |
| Fax: |
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(01325) 362367 |
| Write to: |
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Town Centre Management, Cornmill Management Suite, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NH |
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Tender and Early Contractual Involvement (ECI)
During the summer of 2005, prior to the appointment of Birse CL, the Pedestrian Heart construction tenders were issued to 5 short-listed contractors. Following tender assessment, site visits and interview, Birse CL were appointed to construct the Pedestrian Heart Scheme. They have worked closely with the designers Gillespies and the Council to plan the work schedule, quantify costs and timescales, before construction commenced in the autumn of 2005.
The Council is working hard to provide quality scheme and, with the use of the NEC Form of Contract and target Bill of Quantities, is endeavouring to adhere to 'Rethinking Construction' and the Latham Report, i.e. to involve the contractor to enable better buildability.
The ECI period commenced in July 2005 and continued until work commenced on site in October 2005.
A detailed programme of works will be communicated to affected businesses when the works are approaching (through our Public Liaison Officer and Birse'e site agent).
Last updated - 01/09/2006