Coastal Award

Boskalis signs Sidmouth's two-stage coastal contract

Published 3 August 2026 Updated 15 October 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Europe Confidence Confirmed
Conceptual offshore view of Sidmouth and East Beach with an indicative rock breakwater and terminal rock groyne at design stage

IMWO artist's impression accompanying this evidence brief

East Devon's 28 September contract-details notice records a Boskalis Westminster contract signed on 14 September 2026 for GBP 18,911,242.18 excluding VAT. The published period is 15 September 2026 to 29 March 2030. The two-stage NEC4 Option C contract uses X22 Early Contractor Involvement, with design and consents preceding a separate Stage 2 construction decision.

The UK7 records signature and a September contract start

The UK7 and complete official history establish signature, active contract, exact values and contract period. The UK6 records six valid bids, Boskalis selection on 30 June and the earlier July signature plan. The two signed-contract attachment URLs returned HTTP 403; full terms have not been obtained or reviewed. East Devon's records retain the two-stage boundary, outline design, funding and dated zero-spend statement. The related design engagement under ocds-h6vhtk-051904 is separate.

Design and consent precede the construction decision

Offshore rock works, beach recharge, heritage shoreline assets, cliff recession and the River Sid mouth require coordinated design and consent. Stage 1 covers modelling, detailed design, consultation, planning, approvals and construction drawings before the Stage 2 break. Actual mobilisation, final geometry and the construction instruction remain unconfirmed. The Option 6 outline retains offshore rock breakwaters or submerged features, a terminal groyne, splash-wall and flood-gate changes and access improvements.

Evidence conclusion

Published contract values and actual expenditure remain distinct

UK7 reports GBP 18,911,242.18 excluding VAT and GBP 22,693,490.40 including VAT. The gross amount remains as published in July while the net field increases by GBP 0.18; the detailed tax and price schedule remains unreviewed. The earlier GBP 21.04 million tender estimate and GBP 20 million funding envelope have separate scopes. East Devon's 2 July zero-spend response is historical; current payments, exercised construction value and physical progress need dated records.

Outstanding evidence

  • Full signed NEC4 contract, price schedule and net/gross reconciliation
  • Stage 1 notice to proceed and named design team
  • Marine modelling, ground investigation and final geometry
  • Planning, MMO, SSSI, Crown Estate and environmental consents
  • Stage 2 construction option and approved target cost
  • Rock and recharge source, grading and logistics
  • Marine plant and downstream subcontract awards
  • Mobilisation, placed quantities, acceptance and handover

Related records 1

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