The great Corporation Road Bridge fiasco - independent report reveals why things went wrong

                                                 

Corporation Road Bridge - 'significant delays and cost overruns'

LOCAL government watchdogs have pointed out failings by North East Lincolnshire Council's oversight of the long-running Corporation Road Bridge repairs project.

They say: "Significant delays and cost overruns have  seen the reputation of the service suffer.

"Rebuilding trust with stakeholders will take time." 

The inspection report goes on to suggest that NELC's big mistake was to treat repairs to the bridge as a "simple highways structure project".

The authority failed to take into account the heritage status of the structure, "leading to erroneous time and cost estimations". 

The inspectors says that, in future, greater consideration needs to be given to the composition of project  boards  in order to "ensure that the right experience and skills are available to scrutinise and direct the project adequately."

The independent review is also critical of NELC for  its "project-by-project" approach to procurement. 

It states: "In this respect, the capital programme, resembles a portfolio of individual projects managed one at a time rather than as a continuous pipeline of work. 

"Little consideration seems to be made of the benefits approaching the market with a programme or part-programme of work going forward, potentially offering aggregation benefits to the council. 

"The experience of other councils shows that adopting a longer term and  more strategic approach to procurement offers both tangible and non-tangible benefits. 

"The former offers the potential for discounting and volume efficiencies, particularly from construction partners if multiple, consecutive projects are taken to market at the same time. 

"Non-tangible benefits might include collaborative working and joint learning between NELC and its supply chain partners, leading to operational efficiencies.

"It can also lead to a greater realisation of social value, particularly around local economic benefit and the creation of  apprenticeships". 

On the plus side, the inspectors - all thought to be individuals with local government experience - sees signs NELC has now begun to improve its processes.

Their review also compliments NELC as "a mature and ambitious organisation, keen to do its best for the people of North East Lincolnshire."

It concludes: "There is a positive attitude to change and a genuine desire to improve how the capital programme is delivered". 

The Grimsby News says: "It is far from certain that NELC has learned lessons from the Corporation Road Bridge fiasco. Given its age and importance to Cleethorpes' residents and visitors, the Pier Gardens re-modelling scheme is just as much a heritage project. Yet the administration is blundering ahead without the benefit either of public enthusiasm or planning consent. Its only prompts seem to have been the whim of a here-today-gone-tomorrow London-based consultancy and the pledge of  barrel loads of Levelling-up cash from Whitehall. As for two other projects - the Freshney Place revamp and the re-design of Cleethorpes Market Place, the best that can be said is that the jury is still out.