Worcestershire Parkway Rail Crossing Design Appointment

We are looking to directly appoint Mace, with Tony Gee as a subcontractor, to assist in reviewing and designing options for new rail crossings at Worcestershire Parkway. The total cost for this project is £98,445.76. According to framework guidelines, direct appointments over £10,000 can be approved at the Director level in exceptional circumstances, provided they are below the FTS threshold, which this project is. This appointment was recommended by the Technical Director due to the specialized nature of the work and the proven track record of the team at York Central. Worcestershire Parkway is designated as an accelerator site, planned to accommodate a new settlement of 10,000 homes, with an expected 1,000 direct outputs and an additional 9,000 indirect outputs. This work is essential for preparing the Full Business Case for future funding of primary infrastructure, anticipated in Spring 2026, to facilitate and expedite development. The successful delivery of this settlement depends on upgrades to two existing rail crossings that currently face constraints: 1. The existing overbridge over the B4084 is too narrow to handle the expected volume of vehicle traffic. A new multi-modal bridge is needed to connect the western neighborhoods with the town center, providing access for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, including access to a new secondary school. 2. A new underpass is required to replace the existing one, linking the main town center and southern neighborhoods with the B4084. The current underpass has height restrictions and is too narrow to support active travel routes as part of a sustainable movement strategy.