SC230254 - Public Rights of Way (PRoW) Vegetation Clearance

Kent County Council (the Council) require a contract for a number of providers to undertake routine vegetation clearance on identified Public Rights of Way (PRoW); a statutory requirement. The contract will be split into 10 lots, combining an element of programmed work together with ad-hoc requirements including off road cycle paths.

Public Rights of Way consist of four different levels of access:

⬢ Public Footpath (FP) for pedestrian use;

⬢ Public Bridleway (BR) for equestrian, pedestrian and pedal cyclists use;

⬢ Restricted Byway (RB) a carriageway for use by non-motorised vehicles, equestrians and pedestrians; and

⬢ Byways Open to All Traffic (BW) a carriageway for use by all forms of traffic.

The Council (on behalf of the Public Rights of Way and Access Service (PRoW)) is looking to put in place new Contracts to fulfill the statutory requirements of the PRoW team for the provision of vegetation clearance services on the Kent Public Rights of Way Network.

The previous contract commenced in April 2018 for an initial period of 5-years with two optional 12-months extensions. Both extensions have been taken with the current extension due to expire in April 2025.

It is anticipated that the planned Contracts will begin in April/June 2025.

The existing multiple contracts were procured to undertake routine vegetation clearance on identified Public Rights of Way; with the contract being split into 10 lots, combining an element of programmed work together with ad-hoc requirements including off road cycle paths, with a 30-day turnaround time. The breakdown of lots are as follows:

Lot 1 - Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe

Lot 2 - Canterbury and Thanet

Lot 3 - Dover

Lot 4 - Swale

Lot 5 - Dartford & Gravesham

Lot 6 - Maidstone

Lot 7 - Sevenoaks

Lot 8 - Tonbridge & Malling

Lot 9 - Tunbridge Wells

Lot 10 - North Downs Way