By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Most of the work on new footpaths, roads and landscaping around Nottingham’s Broadmarsh site is due to be completed by the end of 2021 despite the delay in demolishing the nearby shopping centre.
Nottingham City Council has decided to instruct one of the companies it owns – Thomas Bow – to carry out public realm works at the northern section of Middle Hill and Sussex Street.
This will include footpath paving as well as creating new amphitheatre steps.
The decision was made on Tuesday, September 21. It will cost around £2.1m but the money is coming from the Government.
Contracts to deliver more work on Collin Street, including a pedestrianised link to Lister Gate, will be required and procurement options for these works will be subject to a further decision.
The local authority is still waiting to see if it has been awarded a separate pot of £20m in Government cash, part of which would be spent on completing demolition of the shopping centre. A decision on this application is expected in October.
The council says the first phase of public realm improvements is “well progressed” on Sussex Street and Carrington Street through works contracted to Thomas Bow.
Alongside these works, Galliford Try is also undertaking elements of the public realm scheme in the areas immediately surrounding the new car park.
It is expected that all currently contracted public realm works will be completed by the end of 2021.
The council said: “It is proposed that the next stage of public realm work should incorporate work to transform the northern section of Middle Hill and an area on Sussex Street which formerly formed part of the Intu shopping centre site.
“It is proposed that the most appropriate route to deliver this work is via an extension of the current contract with Thomas Bow.
“The decision to award a contract to Thomas Bow on a direct award basis is based on weighing up the benefits of undertaking a competitive process against the additional cost and time in setting up a new contractor to work alongside an existing contractor.”
It is believed this contract could save up to £500,000. The plans were approved at the Executive Board meeting on Tuesday, September 21.
Cllr David Mellen (Lab), leader of Nottingham City Council, said the streets around the Broadmarsh were being “improved day by day”.
