The Government has launched a search for contractors to carry out improvements to Achilles Bay in St George’s after previous work at the site was stalled.

A request for proposals, published last week on the Government’s procurement website, sought bids for work to the steps leading to the beach.

“The Ministry of Public Works is seeking to engage a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to construct public access steps and masonry retaining walls at Achilles Bay, St George’s,” the RFP said.

A planning application to repair damaged stairs leading to the beach was first submitted in 2022.

The older staircase was described in planning documents as a “significant risk to public safety”, with the stairs and dock showing signs of “major structural failure”.

However, it was later announced that the project had been delayed owing to unexpected technical challenges.

A ministry spokesman said at the time that early excavation work revealed that the anticipated solid rock foundation necessary for constructing new stairs was absent, leading to a “necessary halt and redesign of the project”.

A recently submitted planning application for the project said: “The public access to Achilles Bay was destroyed by storm some years ago.

“The Government of Bermuda wishes to restore this important access for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

“Unsuitable site conditions prevent reconstruction in the previous footprint.

“The Government has been working with the co-operation of Hotelco Bermuda SGC Ltd, the owner of the neighbouring property, on the alternate arrangement proposed in this application.”

Architectural drawings included with the RFP documents showed a set of steps with a handrail leading to the beach at a different location than the older, storm-damaged steps.

The deadline for submissions for the RFP is 3pm on November 28.