DD139 - Old Oak Common Station Eastern Access - Preliminary Concept Design, Cost and Constructability Study

The Secretary of State for Transport set out a series of Undertakings and Assurances (U&As) - essentially legally binding planning commitments - relating to the delivery of High-Speed Rail 2 and including commitments specifically relating to Old Oak Common Station.

One of the U&As requires High Speed 2 (HS2) Limited to enable and part-fund an eastern link to the station. The link was originally envisioned to support movement by foot, cycle, bus and taxi between the station and Old Oak North and was referred to as Old Oak Bridge.

Old Oak Bridge was planned to make use of, and connect to, land in Old Oak North. However, following the OPDC Planning Inspector's interim findings at the Examination in Public on OPDC's Local Plan, comprehensive residential-led development in that area is no longer proposed and therefore Old Oak Bridge is no longer deliverable.

In order to safeguard the delivery of an alternative eastern access link, HS2 has ensured that the engineering infrastructure is in place to 'future proof' the footings for a bridge at some point if and when it is considered necessary. The station design also allows for future eastern access, which was approved by OPDC in May 2020 under Schedule 17 application no. 20/0012/HS2OPC.

In this context, HS2, in collaboration with OPDC, is exploring an alternative viable eastern link to ensure the station is as well connected to its surrounding as possible.

Previously, a study conducted by Mott MacDonald investigated options for eastern access to the station. The study explored an 'Eastern highway bridge', which later became Old Oak Bridge, and an 'Eastern pedestrian bridge' with landings at Old Oak North and the Grand Union Canal towpath (see Appendix 1). Given the loss of Old Oak Bridge, it is this 'Eastern pedestrian bridge' that is now being explored as the alternative eastern access to Old Oak Common Station.

The proposal and how it will be delivered

Due to Mott MacDonald's previous work on the eastern access, OPDC wish to instruct Mott MacDonald to continue this work to investigate the feasibility of a pedestrian/cycle link from Old Oak Common Station to the Grand Union Canal.

Mott MacDonald will produce a Preliminary Concept Design, Cost and Constructability Study for this eastern access link.

Mott MacDonald will develop a preliminary design solution for the pedestrian/cycle bridge, specifically looking at: the connection to the station structure; spanning the TfL Crossrail depot; and landing requirements on the canal towpath.

The proposal will also consider preliminary design of upgrades required to facilitate onward pedestrian and cycling from the eastern access landing at the canal towpath to communities to the east, particularly at Scrubs Lane/Mitre Bridge.

A constructibility report will be produced, setting out how the above designs would be constructed, identifying any barriers to construction and any specific requirements and consents needed. In addition, preliminary estimated costs (construction, design, right) associated with delivering the eastern access will be provided.

Mott MacDonald will work in partnership with WSP and Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA (BBVS), the respective station designer and contractor. WSP and BBVS will provide expertise to Mott MacDonald on how the bridge connects to the station and public relam within the HS2 Limits of Deviation.

OPDC is seeking approval for expenditure of up to £50,000 for consultancy services by Mott MacDonald to undertake this study.

HS2 is grant funding OPDC up to £50,000 to pay for Mott MacDonald consultancy services. This decision also seeks the approval of the receipt of grant funding from HS2.

The study aims to facilitate improved connectivity of Old Oak Common Station to the east through a more direct walking and cycling connection to the development along Scrubs Lane, improving public transport accessibility and benefiting existing and future communities.

The study will establish the main design and constructibility considerations and preliminary costs for delivering an eastern pedestrian/cycle connection. The study will develop preliminary design and engineering solutions to a level of details that is sufficient to determine its feasibility.

The study will investigate and present the main considerations with regards to the constructibility of the proposals, reviewing the construction process and identifying any barriers.

Strategic fit

The new Old Oak Common station is set to become the second biggest rail station in London and the largest sub-surface station to have ever been built in the UK. The station will support the OPDC area in becoming a new strategic destination - 10 minutes from Heathrow and the West End. It will also provide a transport interchange to other airports and to the rest of the UK, including places such as Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

This new station provides the opportunity to set new standards for optimising sustainable transit orientated development that can strengthen London's position as a global city and help to deliver much needed new homes and jobs. To enable this, the station needs to be properly embedded into its surroundings. This study will support the integration of the station with the OPDC area by investigating the feasibility of an alternative eastern access given that Old Oak Bridge is no longer deliverable.

Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, OPDC must have 'due regard' to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation as well as to the need to advance of opportunity and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

OPDC considers this decision will positively impact on equality by seeking consultancy services to design a new pedestrian/ cycle link and improvements to the towpath canal and connections at Scrubs Lane/Mitre Yard which will improve the connectivity of the new Old Oak Common Station to communities to the east.

The pedestrian/cycle bridge will be designed by Mott MacDonald to comply with all modern standard of accessibility set out in the Equality Act so that all protected groups can use the new bridge. Therefore, any design solutions for the eastern access will be developed in a way that all can benefit and will positively impact on equality. Onward connection from the landing of the bridge on the Grand Union Canal will also be considered to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can continue their journey from the canal towpath to street level at Scrubs Lane/Mitre Bridge.

Project governance and assurance

OPDC will project manage the work and Mott MacDonald. The Senior Responsible Officer is the Head of Policy and the Project Lead is the Principal Transport Officer.

OPDC will work closely with HS2 during the project through regular progress meetings. HS2 will reimburse OPDC for the works delivered by Mott MacDonald through payments to OPDC in arrears of up to £50,000.

Mott MacDonald will work in partnership with WSP and BBVS, HS2's respective station designer and contractor and who will advise on proposals for connection to the station and public realm within the HS2 Limits of Deviation. Mott MacDonald will lead the relationship with WSP and BBVS with regular design meetings.

Risks and issues

Engagement is required with TfL, Crossrail and the Canal & River Trust as the proposed bridge will interface with the Crossrail depot and the Grand Union Canal and there is a risk that these stakeholders object to the proposal. However, as the previous Old Oak Bridge crossed the Crossrail depot and the canal there is precedent for a much larger, all modes bridge being supported. These stakeholders - TfL, Crossrail and the Canal & River Trust - will be consulted early as designs develop. In addition, in contrast to Old Oak Bridge, the new proposal will not cross the canal and will land on the southern towpath, further minimising impacts.

Mott MacDonald will be required to work with WSP and BBVS, the station designer and contractor who advise on proposals within the HS2 Limits of Deviation. There is a risk that the consultants do not work collaboratively, and the bridge is not designed as a cohesive structure. To reduce this risk, there will be regular progress meetings between Mott MacDonald, WSP and BBVS, HS2 and OPDC.

Other considerations

Use and justifications of single-source procurement route

The OPDC Contracts and Funding Code requires OPDC to seek a call-off from a suitable framework (where possible) or to undertake a formal tender process. However, this decision form seeks approval for an exemption from the Contracts and Funding Code to procure Mott MacDonald without a competitive procurement. There are two main reasons for a single request for this commission.

Firstly, Mott MacDonald undertook the previous study investigating options for eastern access to Old Oak Common Station - the 'Eastern pedestrian bridge' - and the pedestrian/cycle bridge under this commission would follow a similar alignment. By appoint Mott MacDonald, OPDC is able to appoint the same engineer and team that worked on the previous study and bridge. This is important as this commission is a continuation of the previous work and an open procurement route would results in alue for money to OPDC as the team already have the technical knowledge of the Eastern pedestrian bridge option previously explored and can use this to expedite the design of the eastern pedestrian/cycle link under this commission. Secondly, Mott MacDonald are currently undertaking similar work for OPDC to support the Local Plan modifications on preliminary designs and costs for other key infrastructure proposals in Oak Oak. As part of this work Mott MacDonald have undertaken a number of surveys on utilities and topographical data, which this commission also requires. By appointing Mott MacDonald, the project team has access to this data, thus saving costs.

Conflicts of interest

No one involved in the preparation or clearance of this form, or its substantive proposal, has any conflict of interest.

Expenditure of up to £50,000 will be financed through a grant from HS2.

Further expenditure and contract variations are subject to the Corporation's decision-making process.

Any procurement undertaken must be in line with the Corporation's Procurement Guidance and the Contracts and Funding Code is adhered to.

The report above indicates that the decision requested of the director falls within OPDC's objective of securing the regeneration of the Old Oak and Park Royal area and its powers to do anything it considers appropriate for the purposes of its objects or purposes incidental to those purposes, as set out in the Localism Act 2011.

In taking the decisions requested, the director must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty; namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010 and to advance quality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment) and persons who do not share it (section 149 of the Equality Act 2010). To this end, the director should have particular regard to section 6 (above) of this report.

Officers must ensure that they are content that OPDC can comply with any conditions to which the HS2 funding is subject and in any event no reliance should be placed upon such funding until there is a legally binding commitment from HS2 to provide the same.

Section 4.1 of the OPDC Contracts and Funding Code (the 'Code') requires the OPDC to seek a call-off from a suitable framework, where possible, or if not, undertake a formal tender process which will be managed by TfL in respect of the services. However, the director may approve an exemption from this requirement under section 5 of the Code upon certain specified grounds. The officers have set out at paragraph 7.2 of this report the reasons why they believe the appointment of Mott MacDonald without a competition meets the exemption. On this basis the director may approve the proposed exemption if satisfied with the content of this report.

Officers must also ensure that appropriate contract documentation is put in place with and executed by OPDC and Mott MacDonald before the commencement of the required services.

Appendix 1 - Map - Eastern access options to Old Oak Common Station (Mott MacDonald)

56980504