‘Negotiated procedure’ process may take two to three months

THE Templeshannon Regeneration project has been dealt a further setback after it emerged that not one single contractor submitted a tender to take on the project.

This was confirmed by Council Chief Executive Tom Enright in his report presented to members at last week’s county council meeting. In it, he said that no tenders were received in response to an open tendering competition for design services, the development of a masterplan, preliminary design and preparation of applications for planning and statutory consents.

‘Wexford County Council will now move to a negotiated procedure to seek the required services,’ he said. ‘ This process is expected to take two to three months.’

The long-mooted project aims to improve public realm and streetscape in the Templeshannon area, establish a new link to the town centre with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge, transform the current leisure centre car park and ‘create new urban blocks for infill development’

Mr Enright noted that the ground investigation works were completed in late October/ early November of last year and that preliminary design and bridge options will be completed following review and assessment of the results of site investigation works.

Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan was frustrated by a further delay.

‘Is there any particular reason that it failed to attract any tenders?’ She asked. ‘Is it very specialised or something? Now we’re looking at a further delay of three or four months and it just feels like “here we go again”. Enniscorthy is being left behind on these projects again.’

Contrary to the Chief Executive’s report, Director of Services Amanda Byrne said that going to a ‘negotiated tender’ on the project is only likely to delay it by a six week maximum. She said that it is a complex project and that some consultants ‘are a little more conservative’ in the current climate. However, she assured the councillor that it wouldn’t cause any long delays.