Public Footpath Surface Works - Harris Park Extension

1.1 The Authority

Cockermouth Town Council is inviting competitive tenders for minor civil works to improve a public footpath section. Engineering drawings and technical specifications were prepared on behalf of the Town Council by Cumberland Council.

1.2 Purpose of Work

The objective is to establish an accessible, surfaced route from Double Mills footbridge to the woodland section behind Dale View, Cockermouth. Currently, this missing link prevents access for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and less-mobile pedestrians.

1.3 Key Project Details

• Design & Standards: Formulated via engineering drawings provided by Cumberland Council.
• Target Start Date: February / March 2027 (Spring 2027) or before.
• Contract Duration: Estimated 2 consecutive weeks.

2.1 Scope of Works

The contractor will provide all plant, labour, and materials to execute the following sequence:

1. Site Establishment: Set up a secure temporary compound near the park entrance at Dale View.
2. Safety Measures: Formally close Footpath No. 223015 to the public for the 2-week duration of works. (Cumberland Council has agreed to meet the costs of this)
3. Excavation: Dig out a ground tray 50mm deep along the path alignment. Retain topsoil and arisings on-site for reuse.
4. Membrane: Supply and lay a heavy-duty geotextile separation membrane along the length of construction.
5. Sub-Base: Supply, lay, and compact a 150mm depth of Type 1 granular sub-base.
6. Surface Course: Supply, lay, and compact a 40mm depth of 0-6mm crushed aggregate to form a smooth, accessible top finish.
7. Alignment Note: The path alignment must run to the right-hand side of the park bench and to the left-hand side of the trees.
8. Tie-ins: Saw cut the existing macadam path at chainage 0m near the Double Mills footbridge to ensure a flush finish. The end chainage must meet completely flush with the existing timber bridge deck.
9. Landscaping: Smooth out and reinstate path edges using the saved arisings and topsoil, then seed with an 80/20 wildflower mix.

2.2 Critical Site Constraints

• Narrow Access: Access to the park area is via a restrictive, narrow road at Dale View. Large commercial HGVs or oversized plant will not physically fit. Bidders must check this access profile prior to pricing.
• Watercourse Proximity: The works run directly alongside the River Cocker.
• Environmental Protection: All materials and plant machinery must remain at least 5 metres away from the watercourse channel on ground with no immediate flooding risk. Absolutely no refuelling, servicing, or greasing is allowed on site. Equipment must be checked for leaks before entering the site.
• Flood Risk Management: Works must be carried out in generally dry conditions. The contractor is required to monitor local water levels and Environment Agency flood alerts prior to and during construction to reduce risk to the workforce.