go green delivery invitation to submit proposals the land...

Landscape Partnership Go Green Delivery Tender

1 C This project and partnership is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund For further information contact Karen Daglish on 01207 524 882

Go Green Delivery Invitation to Submit Proposals Introduction Quotations are invited from experienced consultants to lead the delivery of the Land of Oak & Iron Go Green project, part of the Land of Oak & Iron (LOI) Landscape Partnership hosted by Groundwork North East & Cumbria. The project will take forward recommendations identified in the LOI Green Travel Audit (SYSTRA, June 2017). The Audit identified the strengths and weaknesses of the existing green travel network, and specific actions required to encourage more people to cycle, walk and use the existing public transport network in the LOI.

The Land of Oak & Iron Our Vision Working with local communities to celebrate, conserve and enhance our natural, industrial and cultural heritage. With partners, we will deliver a legacy of job creation, tourism, regeneration and economic benefits. To achieve our vision the Partnership will deliver a £3.4 million programme with 14 interlinked projects from 2016-2020, that will create opportunities for the long term sustainability of its heritage, people and communities. Funding of £2.2m was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in December 2015 with £0.6m match funding and £0.6m of ‘time in kind’ pledged. Our Geography The Land of Oak & Iron Landscape Partnership is centred on the Derwent Valley, North East England. Set in the countryside to the south of the Metro Centre in Gateshead, it includes parts of the three Local Authorities of Gateshead, Durham and Northumberland. The area covers 177km2 and is home to approximately 112,000 people. One end is more rural, bordering the Derwent Reservoir and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The boundary then follows the River Derwent down to the River Tyne where it is much more urban, bordering the edge of Newcastle and Gateshead town, including the Metro Centre. Although it is predominantly rural, the area has a number of larger towns and villages, including Consett, Shotley Bridge, Blaydon, Prudhoe, Ryton, Crawcrook and Winlaton Mill. Our Heritage Underpinned by the wealth of minerals, abundance of woodlands, water power from the River Derwent, and infrastructure from waggon ways and railways, the Land of Oak & Iron was once home to a variety of innovative industries including world leading iron and steel making. Spanning the 16th -20th Centuries this produced a landscape rich in natural, industrial and cultural heritage. The industrial developments attracted significant wealth, large settlements and the development of a vibrant dance, music and literary scene. Today there are some nationally and globally significant remains of the industry, a distinctive natural landscape and fascinating culture, but it is a landscape and heritage that is at risk of loss. The map overleaf illustrates the project area with the red line indicating the boundary.


2 C This project and partnership is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund For further information contact Karen Daglish on 01207 524 882


This project and partnership is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund

For further information contact [email protected] or on 01207 524 882 3

The Project Within the LOI, 14 interconnected projects are being delivered grouped into the following three themes:

Investing in Heritage - identifying, enhancing and managing the little known natural

and industrial heritage

Investing in People – investing in people to develop skills, learn about the heritage

and volunteer time

Investing in Communities - improved access to and interpretation of the heritage,

reducing negative environmental impact, expanding engagement and ownership, and

promoting the area to make it a better place to live, work and visit.

The aim of the Go Green project is to support the reduction of environmental impacts in the LOI by promoting and improving opportunities for sustainable travel. Through the identification and implementation of schemes that promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport, Go Green will encourage those who live, work and visit the LOI to travel in a more environmentally friendly manner. A copy of the Go Green project plan can be requested from Karen Daglish, Land of Oak & Iron Partnership Manger (details below). LOI Green Travel Audit SYSTRA was appointed in December 2016 to carry out a LOI Green Travel Audit that identified the strengths and weaknesses of the existing green travel network, and specific actions required to encourage more people to cycle, walk, and use the existing public transport network. A copy of the Audit is available on request or can be downloaded from www.landofoakandiron.org.uk/about/resources Overarching recommendations:

Focus on the better used routes and areas closer to visitor attractions and to nearby population centres;

Improve accessibility and quality of key cycling and walking routes and links to adjacent visitor attractions;

Improve access to this network of routes by improving public transport and car parking at key access points to these networks;

Improve awareness of routes and the landscape and heritage through signage, interpretation and supporting materials (at heritage centres, on-line etc.);

Link longer-distance cycling offer to broader area: market in relation to long-distance routes;

Provide, and market, opportunities for variety of route options to suit different markets (longer-distance, shorter distance circular routes with families, routes for disabled or mobility impaired);

Ensure Derwent Walk is fully disabled accessible and market as such;

Market specific routes alongside access to attractions, providing packaged ideas for days out;

Provide support services to the above, including bike hire, guided walks and rides, refreshments, toilets etc.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.landofoakandiron.org.uk/about/resources




The Commission Proposals are invited from suitably qualified and experienced consultants to take forward the following priority recommendations from the Audit:

1. Provide, and market, opportunities for a variety of cycling, walking and public transport route options to suit different markets. These routes should incorporate and promote industrial heritage features that are part of the LOI story including Allensford Blast Furnace, Derwentcote Blast Furnace, Whinfield Coke Ovens, and Crowley’s Dam. They should also incorporate access improvements funded by the scheme (Appendix 1). Marketing should include printed material and digital options.

2. Deliver a programme of participatory events and training including guided cycle rides

and walks, bikeability training, cycle maintenance sessions, and walk and cycle leader training.

3. Develop a business engagement scheme to promote walking, cycling and using

public transport in LOI. This could involve upgrading or installing cycle infrastructure at key facilities, or securing support and finance for equipment and events.

A significant proportion of delivery will take place from the three Heritage Centres associated with the LOI, in partnership with the managing organisations. Funded activity will be additional to that already delivered from these locations. These centres are key hubs for engaging residents and visitors, and for the promotion of sustainable travel – particularly with promotional materials, events and equipment. The centres are:

- The Lodge, Consett and Blackhill Park, managed by LeisureWorks - Tyne Riverside Country Park, Prudhoe, managed by Northumberland County Council - Crowley’s, Derwenthaugh Country Park, managed by Groundwork and due to open

summer 2018. The successful consultant will be expected to work closely with relevant LOI partner organisations and contribute to the LOI independent evaluation. Collaborative applications are welcome, with an identified lead organisation submitting the response and being the main point of contact for all communication. Timescales On the ground delivery is expected to run from January 2018 to December 2019. Promotional Material Any printed and digital material and cycling infrastructure (e.g. stands) need to be designed within the LOI branding guidelines. Branding and style consistency within the LOI is essential. Resource The maximum budget for this commission is £37,700 exclusive of VAT. VAT cannot be reclaimed through this scheme. Of this budget £29,700 is secured from HLF and £8,000 needs to be contributed as match funding by the successful consultant; LOI can provide support with this. However, any contribution that can be made from the contractor will score highly under the evaluation criteria for value for money.





The budget must be spent under the approved HLF headings as below:

Budget heading Budget

Professional fees £25,000

Volunteer Training £3,000

Revenue: equipment and materials £1,700

Capital: equipment and materials £8,000

TOTAL £37,700

Agreed HLF Go Green outputs and outcomes The project must meet the following HLF outputs and outcomes: Outputs

Promotional material about sustainable transport available at key locations;

A minimum of 100 participants supported via Bikeability cycle training courses;

Contribute towards 1,000 people engaged and participating in cycling, walking and running activity in the Land of Oak & Iron.

Outcomes Go Green will predominantly address the reduction of environmental impacts by increasing the uptake of cycling, walking and sustainable transport, thereby reducing the emissions created by vehicles in the area. Your proposal Proposals should include the following:

Organisation profile table for the lead applicant, see below;

A method statement of how you would undertake the work in the brief provided including measuring success;

Your team’s experience and demonstrate competency in the relevant areas;

Knowledge of the local area and issues/constraints relating to the project;

A budget outlining how you would use the resources available indicating the number of days allocated to each task or set of activity;

Referees - you should provide names and contact details for two independent referees who can comment on your suitability for the work.

No part of the work may be subcontracted without the agreement of the Land of Oak & Iron Partnership Manager. Tender submissions should be kept to a maximum of 10 pages. Operational Management The successful consultant will be appointed by Groundwork on behalf of the Land of Oak & Iron Partnership. Operational issues will be handled by Karen Daglish, Partnership Manager, Land of Oak & Iron. Copyright The successful consultant will grant Groundwork full copyright on all contents and materials produced. Where the consultant makes use of material in which copyright vests in third parties, it will be the responsibility of the consultant to obtain permission for the appropriate use of such material. Confidentiality





The appointed consultant must safeguard the confidentiality of any data and information supplied for the project. Payment Payment will be paid at the HLF intervention rate of 79% upon satisfactory completion of quarterly claims. Timetable and selection criteria Completed proposals should be submitted to LOI Partnership Manager Karen Daglish, via email to [email protected] by 5pm on Monday 2 October 2017. All submissions will be assessed and responded to within one week. If there is a need for interviews, these will take place week beginning 9 October 2017. On the ground delivery is expected to take place from January 2018, with a completion date of 31 December 2019. Proposals will be reviewed by the LOI Partnership Manager and up to two partner representatives. The selection panel will use a scoring system to ensure objectivity. This will be weighted as follows:

Methodology and approach – 40%.

Skills, knowledge and experience – 30%

Price / value for money – 20%

Connection to and knowledge of the Land of Oak & Iron area – 10%

Additional Information If you have any questions or require any clarification, please call Karen Daglish, Partnership Manager Land of Oak & Iron on 01207 524 882 or email [email protected].







A ORGANISATION PROFILE (LEAD APPLICANT ONLY)

NOTE This section is required for information purposes only

A1 Business name (or Consortium Name):

A2 Registered or trading name if different:

A3 Type of organisation (e.g. private limited

company, partnership, sole trader):

A4 Registered address:

A5 Correspondence address if different from the

above:

A6 Address from which the Contract will be

provided if different from the above:

A7 Name of ultimate holding/parent company or

subsidiary companies including addresses and

an explanation of group structure and internal

relationships:

A8 Company Registration Number of ultimate

holding/parent company or subsidiary

companies:

A9 If you have included details of an ultimate

holding/parent company above would this

company be willing to guarantee your contract

performance and enter into any requisite legal

documentation?

A10 Indication of the principal areas of business

activity of your organisation:

A11

a. Contact name:

b. Contact's position:

c. Contact's telephone number:

d. Contact's fax number:

e. Contact’s email address:

f. Company/ies registration number(s):

g. Place of registration:

h. Year established:

i. VAT number:





APPENDIX 1 Land of Oak & Iron Access Improvements The Land of Oak & Iron landscape is criss-crossed by old waggonways and railways which today are footpaths, bridleways and multi-user routes. The history of these routes is little known but they are what remain of some of the earliest transport networks in North East England which were built to service local industry and allowed the export of goods to other parts of the country, Europe and the rest of the world. Without these networks the area would not have prospered as it did during the early industrial period. Waggonways were early railways dating back to the 17th century which were built with wooden rails that were often made of oak. They were built in the Land of Oak & Iron area to move coal from the collieries to the staithes on the banks of the river Tyne with the gradient used to transport the wagons to the river and horses used to the haul them back up the colliery. These transport links were of such importance as providing the most efficient means to move coal that they became known as the ‘Fighting Trade’ routes as a result of competing coal owning landowners battling to control them. The overall aim of the project is to open up and promote this significant heritage which will improve access across the Land of Oak of Iron area. This includes links to other project activity such as built heritage sites and also within woodlands, to the river Derwent and Tyne and to and from the Derwent Walk. The project involves investment into nine separate routes. Over 5,000 metres of routes will be enhanced with all completed to a set specification and smooth flat surfaces provided for accessibility benefits. The nine schemes to be funded are listed below with the main reason for inclusion also stated. For details see map below on Access Improvement proposals. • Woodhouse Lane – former Western Way I waggonway and link to the Derwent Walk • Milkwellburn Connection – former Chopwell to Garesfield colliery railway • Hamsterley Riverside – Derwent Walk connection for Blackhall Mill and Hamsterley • Burnopfield Plantation – part of early waggonway network with community interest • Lintzford to Dipton – route that links a number of key sites in the Derwent Valley • Bowes Railway – early railway which transported coal from North Durham collieries • Greenside Waggonway – part of waggonway network with archaeological interest • Prudhoe Heritage Trail – route that includes former goods railway to West Wylam pit • Red Kite Trail – provides Derwent Walk connection and to woodlands Alongside these nine routes a number of other access schemes have been developed and informed by the consultation and audit. These are funded from other themes within the Land of Oak & Iron project and include improvements to the access to three built heritage sites and the wetland restoration scheme at Shibdon Meadow. The three built heritage sites are Whinfield Coke Ovens, Derwentcote Steel Furnace and Allensford Blast Furnace.


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