RJ McLeod has been confirmed as the successful tenderer for the main contract works on the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme.

In June 2014, six companies were invited to tender following the completion of a pre-qualification exercise where 16 firms registered interest to deliver the scheme. In November, the tender returns were received and the evaluations were completed during the month, with a successful tenderer selected.

Subject to the mandatory standstill period, the main construction works on the project are expected to commence in January 2015, and completed by December 2016.

Welcoming the news, Councillor Gordon Edgar, Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure, said: "The announcement that RJ McLeod has been selected as the successful tenderer is another big step forward for the Flood Protection Scheme and the town of Selkirk.

-- Advertisement --

"This is one of the biggest contracts that SBC has ever taken forward, and it is pleasing to be able to report that the delivery of this £31.4 million project remains on programme and within budget.

"On behalf of the Council, I look forward to the commencement of the site works in 2015."

Conor Price, Project Manager for the Scheme, added: "For the past six months, the project team has been undertaking an exercise to procure a contractor to construct the Scheme's new flood defences. This process is now nearing completion.

"The selection of the successful tenderer and, ultimately, confirmation of the Scheme's construction contractor, is the completion of many years of preparatory design and latterly procurement work.

"The next step will be to formally award the contract, and thereafter the project team will refocus on the delivery of the construction works over the coming 24 months.

"Once the contract has been awarded, the successful contractor will formally confirm the construction programme which will identify when, and for how long, the works will take in each particular area.

"Once this is available the project team will systematically distribute this information to all stakeholders, land owners, and river users relevant to each section of work."

(JP/IT)