A130 (A12 – A127): SPV Management
Vercity delivers the management service agreement for the A130 project, which provides conditions that are better than those of other class roads nationally.
Sector
Transport Infrastructure
Key Stakeholders
Essex County Council
Original Investment Value
£100m
The project
The A130 was the first local authority road to be built using a private finance initiative (PFI), with new investment totalling £100 million. The Northern Section (Chelmsford to the A132 Rettendon Turnpike) was opened to traffic in January 2002 and the Southern Section was opened in February 2003.
Approach
Now well into its operational phase, six members of staff are employed into the Project Company on a part time basis through Vercity. The team consists of a Project General Manager, Compliance/HSEQ Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager, Project Accountant and Finance Assistant. The financial close of the project was in 2000 and the contract is due to expire in 2030.
Process
The A130 is operated and maintained in accordance with the National Trunk Road Maintenance manual (TRMM) standards and the project-specific requirements of the DBFO contract. Vercity ensures that operations are actively managed and that all contractual obligations are delivered. As part of our technical service delivery, we conduct compliance auditing, defect and technical evaluations, including the identification and deployment of service providers to support operations, enhance value and maximise returns.
The result
Built in two sections, the project consists of 14km of dual 2-lane carriageway, a grade separated interchange and 19 structures. Use of the road has continued to increase and in 2018, a 9Km length of the road wase widened to a dual 3-lane carriageway using the existing hard shoulder.
Project impact
Many of these contractually-defined performance requirements deliver conditions that are better than those of other class roads nationally. In providing a high level of service and safety, Vercity ensures that compliance is met. In continuously reviewing costs and assessing service delivery, Essex County Council operates with confidence.
Environmental Social Governance
In upholding its ESG principles, the project collects the operators’ monthly energy consumption figures and proactively identifies ways to reduce its carbon footprint. The service provider is currently promoting a scheme to replace the existing streetlights with LED lighting, which will use less energy will need replacing less frequently. An annual species survey is undertaken by landscaping contractors to document all wildlife seen in a calendar year. Adders are prevalent in the area and badger tunnels allow badgers to cross underneath the road. Badger fencing is also in place to deter badgers crossing the road. Wildflower areas have been designed in the embankments near laybys to enhance attractiveness and promote species biodiversity. There’s also an area of planting to promote bee activity and bird boxes have been attached to fences to promote bird activity and nesting.
“Essex County Council has been engaged in the A130 PFI Roads project with Project Co. CountyRoute and their Asset Managers Vercity since award of the Contract in 1999. The level of service has been good throughout this period with a high level of performance demonstrated by no service performance penalties for over ten years and minimal complaints from over 50,000 motorists using the asset on a daily basis.”
Karl Raby
Technical Business Manager, Essex County Council
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