Purpose

The decision sought is whether to proceed with procuring a consultant delivery partner to undertake the South Yorkshire Strategic Sustainable Connectivity Study – Phase 1. Approval is required to commission this work to provide a robust, government-compliant evidence base to support future decisions on mass transit investment, including potential Supertram extensions and other rapid transit solutions across South Yorkshire.

SYMCA has undertaken preliminary analysis of potential expansion corridors, identifying a case for further development. However to progress to further funding stages, we need to make sure we have undertaken a connectivity study to identify the best corridors for mass transit in South Yorkshire and meet Department for Transport TAG and HM Treasury Green Book requirements and cannot support funding submissions. The proposed study will build on existing data to identify future mass transit needs, appraise corridors and modes, and develop a strategic framework aligned with local and national policy objectives, including Net Zero, economic productivity, and integrated land-use planning.

Commissioning this study will enable SYMCA to prioritise schemes, manage risk, and position the region for future Government funding through a clear five-case business case structure and a public-facing Mass Transit Vision. Without this commission, future network development would remain fragmented and less defensible to government. Government has insisted that other combined authorities do this stage to progress new mass transit and where they haven’t this has caused delays to their programme as Government insists this stage is undertaken. The study is time-limited, has defined outputs and governance, and represents a necessary step to progress South Yorkshire’s long-term sustainable connectivity ambitions.

Political pressure is strong to deliver on this as quickly as possible, with the mayor having asked to expedite the process as much as possible. Due to this pressure we have chosen to use a framework to speed up the process of appointing a partner for the South Yorkshire Strategic Sustainable Connectivity Study. To maximise the number of partners who are able to apply for this work we have utilised the ESPO Framework Agreement 664_25 Consultancy Services – Lot 5, which has the largest number of partners available to us.

On 16th February an ITT was issued via ProContract under the ESPO Framework Agreement 664_25 Consultancy Services – Lot 5 closing on 10th March. We recieved 5 bids and following the internal assessment process it was identified that the joint bid between SYSTRA, Nota Bene and Cadenza would be awarded with effect 2nd April until early 2027 to undertake this work and other workstreams that will help expedite the development of additional mass transit in South Yorkshire for the total value of £572,906.41.

Decision

Approve Option 1 to be able to identify appropriate routes for mass transit in South Yorkshire, in line with government guidance and SYMCA goals. This has a cost to SYMCA of £572,906.41

Alternative options considered

Option 1: An external commission of a partner to progress this work in line with DfT / HM Treasury Guidance.

Option 2: Using internal SYMCA Officer resource to develop the Local Transport Plan through to adoption.

Whilst we will make maximum use of internal SYMCA Officer resource and expertise to develop this work, this option was discounted due to constraints around available resources and significant elements of this work which will require specific technical input, and strategic advice.

Option 1 is therefore being taken forward.