Two separate coastal defence projects are being bundled together into a two stage design and build contract worth up to £100m in the hope of saving time and cash.

The successful contractor will rebuild defences at Anchorsholme for Blackpool Council and Rossall for Wyre Borough Council at the same time with each local authority directing the rebuild.

Rossall Coastal Defence Scheme, Fleetwood

These existing coastal defences have  an estimated lifespan of less than 5 years.

The new scheme will involve rebuilding 1.9km of coastal defences with either rock armour  or concrete seawall and potentially re-charging the beach.

Rossall is planned to start towards the end of 2013/14 and continuing through to finishing 2018/19.

Anchorsholme Coast Protection Scheme, Blackpool

The existing seawall is in progressive failure and will need a new 1km length of precast and in-situ concrete sea wall and promenade.

Anchorsholme will be delivered in two Phases, Phase 1 starting in 2013/14 (12 months for first 500m), Phase 2 2016/17 (12 months for second 500m).

Both schemes will be procured on a design and build basis using NEC3, with eligible firms requested to demonstrate £100m-plus turnover last year.

At Stage 2, the shortlisted bidders will be asked to submit a combined price for both schemes and highlight the price for each project.

There will be a period of around a year from selecting the preferred bidder to actually obtaining funding.

During financial year 2012/13, the preferred bidder will start site investigations and finalise detailed design.

This design will be at the preferred bidder’s risk, until sufficient funding is obtained, and mutually agreeable prices are negotiated.

The councils hope to negotiate a reduction in the combined price after this period and aim to reserve the right to negotiate with other Stage 2 shortlisted bidders if a price cannot be agreed.

There is a further scheme in the pipeline on Fylde Coast in Lytham St Annes, which could be negotiated at a later stage with the contractor.

Requests for PQQ documents must be made by 22 February and can be obtained through the portal: https://www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk or by contacting Donna Parkinson 01253478977, donna.parkinson@blackpool.gov.uk.