The Tees Valley combined authority has begun early market engagement on a five-year transport programme worth about £1bn, asking construction firms how the potential work should be packaged up for procurement.
The authority has submitted its transport wish-list for April 2027 to March 2032 to the Department for Transport. The programme covers major road schemes, railway upgrades, bus infrastructure, active travel and transport technology.
Government has already confirmed £978m of core transport funding for the region. The wider programme, however, includes projects that still require further business case approvals and additional financial backing before they can move ahead.
Schemes on the list
- the Darlington Northern Link Road;
- upgrades to the A66 and A689 corridors;
- a new platform at Middlesbrough Station;
- redevelopment of Thornaby Station;
- a new station at Teesside International Airport;
- improvements to Middlesbrough bus station;
- transport links serving the Teesworks development.
The authority has acknowledged that delivering the full programme will depend on government support and potentially further outside funding.
Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said it was crucial that people understood that, while the body is devolved, major transport schemes often require significant additional funding. Government backing was vital, he said, because it would allow external bodies to help fund the programme and give the region the best chance of delivering as many projects as possible in good time.
Multiple contracts rather than one deal
Despite the funding uncertainty, the authority is pressing ahead with early supplier engagement to prepare its procurement strategy. It expects to let multiple contracts covering highways, rail, civil engineering and specialist infrastructure rather than award one giant deal.
It is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model, which would bring delivery partners together and encourage regional contractors and SMEs to participate.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November. Firms are now invited to give feedback through a market engagement questionnaire and to register an interest, with responses due by 1 March 2027, a month before the programme period is scheduled to begin.