UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

BACKGROUND Knutsford Town Council has secured permission from the Crown Estate to install a new active travel path linking Tabley Road to a new housing development. This project will support our aspirations to enhance active travel in Knutsford by creating a new walking and cycling link. ROUTE The path route is approximately 170m long, it will connect to Tabley Road and a footpath created on open space at the Tabley Park development . The path will be constructed on a field. There will be access from Tabley Road for construction. SPECIFICATION Our preference is for this path to match the paths created on the housing estate. The developers have provided the following diagram of these paths. • The path is to be 2m wide. • A post and thee rail fence is to be installed both sides of the path along the full length • A gate is to be installed at the Tabley Road end of the path, inset approx. 4m from the road We will also consider variant proposals for alternative surface finishes in addition to the above.

The Knutsford Neighbourhood Plan and Cycle Infrastructure Plan identified the desirability of creating a cycle path linking Church Walk with Parkgate Lane via Dog Wood. The route would pass through multiple landownerships including a section of Tatton Park and would connect the town centre with the new housing development and the industrial park as well as providing a safe cycling/walking route from the eastern edge of town to the town centre. In 2024, using a grant through the Shared Prosperity Fund, the council commissioned a preliminary design for the route to enable the project to be progressed. The report recommended further pre-tendering works to undertake more detailed land investigations including a topographical survey and ground investigations. We now wish to undertake this work. The initial report outlined two options (A and B). It is intended that only one option would be developed under this commission; which option would be selected as part of the process. The most challenging stakeholder to secure permission from is likely to be the National Trust and they will require a more detailed report on the impact to the historic landscape alongside tree surveys and an ecology report for their portion of the route (Tatton Park, the red area between the two blue sections on page 11). It has also been discussed that an ecological appraisal would be beneficial for the whole route. TENDER REQUIREMENTS Please provide a tender to: a) undertake a topographical / land survey (incl. tree survey, services, levels, fence lines, etc) to inform the development of the preferred route for the path b) undertake necessary ground investigations / testing c) prepare a detailed / construction design / tender documentation for a single route option d) provide a historic landscape impact assessment (limited to the section which would pass through the National Trust's landholding) e) provide an ecological appraisal for the creation of the path

Knutsford Town Council has previously discussed the idea of a BID for Knutsford Town Centre with businesses in 2018 and 2019. In 2018 this involved a presentation from the Town Centre Manager, Altrincham BID Manager and a member of Groundwork. The presentation outlined what a BID was and how they worked, how much could be raised for Knutsford and brief examples of projects it could undertake. An informal ballot was held which resulted in a 50-50 vote. In 2019 this was followed up with an email to businesses again outlining a BID, BID process and what a Knutsford BID could achieve. Again, an informal ballot was held asking if a 1.5% rateable value levy was proposed (raising £530,272) how would you vote. This resulted in another 50-50 split. 2020 brought the pandemic and the project was put on hold. Knutsford Town Council has now received funding to commission an external BID Feasibility Study. Please see the attached tender specification for full details including how to tender and the evaluation process.

Knutsford Town Council is developing a Town Centre Masterplan for Knutsford, to set out a vision and forward plan for ensuring the ongoing vitality of Knutsford Town Centre. The masterplan will look to solve the long-discussed question of how to improve the pedestrian experience; the town has been polarised on pedestrianisation and it is considered that a solution which retains vehicular access whilst improving the pedestrian experience will generate the greatest support. In 2019/20 the Town Council developed and consulted on the From Top to Bottom Street report. This proposed a limited vehicular accessibility scheme (LVAS). The intention of this scheme was to control the flow and destination of traffic in the commercial heart of Knutsford and divided the town centre into three sectors which essentially form three loops - traffic cannot pass through the town centre, but can access the majority of the town centre. The From Top to Bottom Street report also proposed the creation of new public realm areas and changes to car parking arrangements. The principles were supported at a public consultation. We are now looking to undertake feasibility studies on different aspects of the From Top to Bottom Street report to ascertain its viability and costs. This will then form part of the Town Centre Masterplan which we (Knutsford Town Council) would work with Cheshire East Council to see delivered. Please see the tender pack for full information.

PROJECT SCOPE The scope of this work is to: 1- Develop a design for the proposed route Following an on-site survey, develop a detailed design plan for the route for its full extent. This should include a map showing the precise route and widths. The path should be suitable for pedestrian and cycle use. It will also identify the works required to build the path, including (for example) the construction of culverts, installation of fencing, removal of trees, grading of land etc. This should be sufficient to clearly explain to landowners what works would be required. The plan should detail options/recommendations for the finish of the path and associated infrastructure (e.g. signage, drainage, lighting) as applicable. The design should carefully consider the existing sites and safety of users i.e. in relation to proximity to the railway. 2 - Develop a proposed construction methodology This should detail how the plan in section one would be constructed including site access, construction methods and site compounds. It should be sufficiently detailed to be used as the basis for a formal tender for companies to price against and should identify all works anticipated to deliver the path. The railway bridge at Mallard Close is not suitable for vehicular use and Network Rail would not permit works vehicle access over this. 3 - Provide an indicative price estimate This should provide a guide cost for the project to enable us to seek grant funding. This should be: a) Single phase for whole path b) Two phases: Moor to Tatton Park and Through Tatton Park to Parkgate Lane QUOTE SUBMISSIONS The deadline for submission of quotes is 31st January 2024. All quotes should be submitted by email to: townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk. The submission should comprise: 1) Quotation of a fixed price for the requirement set out 2) An example of a similar report you have prepared 3) Company background and key personnel skills/experience 4) A reference for a similar project

The Town Council has obtained funding to develop a new website to promote Knutsford as a tourist destination, as well as providing information and inspiration to the local community. The objective of the new website is to promote the local economy and drive visits to the area.

The primary objective of this work is to develop a Knutsford Tourism Strategy to guide the Town Council and partners on work to develop Knutsford's tourism offer. This should include (as a minimum): • Market research on current perceptions of Knutsford (from non-residents) • SWOT analysis of Knutsford's current tourism offer • Benchmarking Knutsford against similar towns in Cheshire and the wider area • Developing a future vision for Knutsford as a tourist destination with recommendations for immediate, medium- and long-term implementation • Recommendations for tourism offers Alongside this we wish to provide specific support to key local visitor attractions and develop guidance/advice for them in enhancing their visitor offer. The objective of this is to increase visitor numbers and income for these attractions to support their ongoing sustainability. This could be an annex to the Tourism Strategy or specific guidance documents for the attractions. This guidance would include specific SWOT/gap analysis of each attraction and development of recommendations. As a minimum this will involve a visit to the attraction and a meeting with the manager/coordinator.

NB: This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Community Ownership Fund. The appointed contractor will be expected to ensure adherence to all relevant guidance. Please see the attached ITT and associated documents.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The appointed contractor/supplier will be expected to ensure adherence to all UKSPF guidance. Knutsford Market Hall underwent a major internal refurbishment in early 2025 and has recently reopened for traders. This refurbishment was funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Knutsford Town Council. The initial refurbishment renewed the covering of the lower roof, but due to budget constraints no work was undertaken to the main roof. The Town Council has now been successful in securing a further grant to deliver a second phase of works to the building. SCOPE OF WORKS This project is to deliver: a) Renewal of the roof covering of the main roof with a Trocal system b) Replacement of the existing skylights c) Installation of insulation to the top of the roof d) Installation of a solar panel array and battery storage system e) Replacement of the upper level window