In a delegated decision, Plymouth City Council has awarded the contract for the Mount Batten Pontoon & Bridgehead Works to Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd, for a total value of £3,201,125.90. The decision, made by David Draffan, Service Director for Economic Development, also approves any contract modifications up to the value of the contingency allowance, provided the modifications do not alter the overall nature of the contract. This project aims to improve accessibility to Plymouth Sound as part of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP).

Mount Batten Pontoon Contract Award

The council has awarded the Mount Batten Pontoon & Bridgehead Works Contract to Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd for £3,201,125.90. The Mount Batten pontoon replacement is part of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP) project. The project seeks to deliver a more accessible pontoon to enable the Mount Batten Centre to provide better access to activities for those with additional needs, ensuring more diverse people can engage with the heritage of the Sound¹. The pontoon will also provide a new permanent home for the Mount Batten Water Ferry in a more sustainable location and repair a Plymouth City Council (PCC) asset in terms of the bridgehead where the pontoon operates from.

According to the Contract Award Briefing Paper, the Mount Batten Centre pontoon and bridgehead works meet the following requirements:

• Replacement of the Mount Batten Water and Activity Centre pontoon as part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP).
• Replacement of the Mount Batten Ferry landing stage.
• Bridgehead repairs.

The report states that the three elements were incorporated within the tender for the pontoon replacement works.

The decision to award the contract followed a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise and advertised Invitation to Tender process. Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd was identified as the highest-scoring supplier based on quality, price, and social value award criteria.

Alternative options that were considered and rejected were:

1. Do Nothing: This option was rejected because it would result in the termination of the Ferry service to the Mount Batten peninsula, the new bridge would be fitted to a structure that is not fit for purpose and would fail in the future, creating a health and safety issue that would make the pontoon unusable for all users resulting in significant additional cost in the near future.
2. Delivery of the Ferry requirements and bridgehead repairs, but not deliver the commercial berths: This option was rejected as the commercial berths would provide an on-going revenue which would help to maintain and operate the pontoon.

The Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) states that the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Round 2 bid was successful, and the full grant applied for was approved by the NLHF Board in December 2023. The focus of the project is to support underserved communities in Plymouth to have increased access to the sea and coast through a suite of both capital and revenue interventions.

Climate Impact Assessment

A climate impact assessment was undertaken for the Mount Batten Pontoon project. The assessment found that the deconstruction of the old pontoon and the building of the new pontoon will have a short term localised impact in terms of construction and water quality. The impact is mitigated through carbon monitoring at all stages and enhancements of the biodiversity through interventions as well as the educational benefits linked to the aims of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.

The assessment scored the project across several categories:

• Biodiversity: Long lasting or extensive positive impact. The works are part of the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park whose primary aims is to connect the people of Plymouth with the natural world around them.
• GHG Emissions: No impact or neutral impact. Limited construction emissions. There will be carbon monitoring of the design and construction processes. Construction will be undertaken from vessels.
• Renewable Energy: No impact or neutral impact. There is limited energy requirements for the pontoon - public realm and marina lighting and fresh water. Provision will be made for conduit to hold recharging technology for future proofing.
• Ocean and Waterways: No impact or neutral impact. Construction will include piling into the seabed and some limited local disturbance. All construction will be monitored and undertaken under a licence from the Marine Management Organisation[^3]. [^3]: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Any effect on water quality/ turbidity will be very limited.
• Air Quality: No impact or neutral impact. Increased limited construction activity including vessels - piling barge and crane.
• Materials and Waste: No impact or neutral impact. The existing structures will be disposed of by the contractor. Where recycling can be used it will be implemented as part of the carbon accounting of the project.
• Climate Change Adaptation: Short term or limited positive impact. The project is part of the National Marine Park which is seeking to engage with the people of Plymouth on the climate emergency.
• Education / Engagement / Enabling Conditions: Long lasting or extensive positive impact. The Mount Batten Centre and pontoon look to connect the people of Plymouth to the Ocean.