Decision

The Assistant Director has authorised:
(1) the acceptance of the Openreach Ltd’s C4 Estimate for diversionary works required to facilitate the Birkenhead Waterfront Infrastructure and Surrounds scheme, and
(2) the issuing of the necessary instruction for Openreach Ltd to proceed to C5 (implementation stage

Reasons for the decision

Openreach Ltd’s (“Openreach’s”) apparatus, including ducts, chambers, fibre and copper cabling, will be directly affected by the Waterfront Infrastructure and Surrounds improvement works approved by Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on 10th March 2026. Openreach has confirmed, via the Specification of Alteration Works, that diversionary works are required under Section 84 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1992.
The following works are required across six locations:
• Demolition and rebuild of existing jointing chambers;
• Installation of new ducting to divert impacted apparatus;
• Replacement cabling and recovery of redundant equipment; and
• Associated off-site jointing and testing works
Openreach has issued a formal C4 Estimate with total costs as follows:
• Total Estimated Cost (ex VAT): £81,646.81
These works are essential to avoid delay to the wider scheme programme and to maintain service continuity for telecommunications networks. The costs will be met by the grant provided for the Waterfront Infrastructure and Surrounds works. To de-risk the scheme and following review by the Head of Regeneration Delivery, it is considered appropriate that the works should be undertaken in advance of the construction phase to avoid programme delays which may compromise the delivery of the scheme.

Alternative options considered

1. Do Nothing – Rejected.
The construction works would conflict with existing buried Openreach infrastructure, leading to significant risk of service outage and programme delays.
2. Re-design the Scheme to Avoid Openreach Assets – Rejected
The extent and depth of existing telecommunications apparatus makes avoidance impractical without materially compromising the scheme.
Openreach is the statutory undertaker responsible for its own infrastructure; diversion is the only feasible solution.