WSP has been appointed as the sole supplier to Sefton Council’s new Transport Technical Support Services (TTSS) Contract.

It strengthens a long-standing partnership with the Merseyside council and supports the delivery of an ambitious transport investment pipeline across the borough.

The initial four-year agreement includes options for three additional one-year extensions. Through the contract, Sefton Council will have direct access to multidisciplinary support covering programme and strategic advisory services, transport planning, design development across all stages, engineering delivery and construction supervision.

This structure is designed to give the council the flexibility and capacity it needs to progress its transport priorities from early feasibility through to delivery.

The new contract will support the council in preparing for delivery of its emerging Transport for City Regions (TCR) programme, following several years of activity focused on the city region’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding cycle.

WSP will also work with the council to deliver meaningful social value for communities across Sefton, including initiatives focused on children and young people and partnerships, through giving them tangible experiences like in-work placements and experience, as well as supporting them in the classroom through learning interventions.

Adrian Hames, head of transport and mobility at WSP, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Sefton Council through the new TTSS Contract. Over the past eight years, our teams have worked closely with the council to deliver complex, community shaping transport projects across the borough.

“This new agreement gives us the opportunity to continue that journey, bringing our multidisciplinary expertise to help progress the council’s transport priorities from early feasibility through to delivery, while strengthening the social value we create with local partners.”

Peter Moore, assistant director of highways and public protection at Sefton Council, said: “With the Transport for City Region funding from the Combined Authority, we have the opportunity to deliver further significant travel improvements in Sefton. With the expertise and support services from WSP working alongside our internal teams and expertise, we can make a real difference to how people move around their local area. Additionally, people in Sefton get to see additional benefits from the social value delivered locally, as outlined in the contract.”

WSP’s appointment builds on almost a decade of collaboration with Sefton Council. Over this time, the consultancy has supported the delivery of major transport and placemaking schemes across the borough, including Les Transformations de Southport Phase 1, the Maritime Corridor and Southport Eastern Access programme, and evidence-gathering and concept design for Bootle’s transport and connectivity improvements.