The North East combined authority behind the Tees Valley transport wish-list has asked construction firms to help with its early market engagement and advise on how the potential five-year programme should be packaged for procurement.
The authority has submitted the programme to the Department for Transport. It covers April 2027 to March 2032 and spans major road schemes, railway upgrades, bus infrastructure, active travel and transport technology.
The government has confirmed £978m in core transport funding for the region, but the broader programme includes projects that still need further business case approvals and additional financial backing. That distinction matters: the £978m is confirmed core funding, while the full wish-list depends on further support.
Schemes on the list
Major projects identified in the programme include the Darlington Northern Link Road, upgrades to the A66 and A689 corridors, a new platform at Middlesbrough Station and the redevelopment of Thornaby Station.
The authority is also pursuing a new station at Teesside International Airport, improvements to Middlesbrough bus station and transport links serving the Teesworks development.
Delivering the whole programme will depend on government support and potentially further outside funding, the authority acknowledged. Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said that while the body has devolved powers, major transport schemes often require significant additional funding. He said government backing was vital because it would allow external bodies to help fund the programme and improve the chances of delivering as many projects as possible in good time.
Procurement and supplier engagement
Despite the funding uncertainties, the authority is moving 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 large deal.
It is also considering a programme-wide alliance based on the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model. The aim would be to bring delivery partners together and encourage regional contractors and small and medium-sized enterprises to take part.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November. Firms are now invited to provide feedback through a market engagement questionnaire, with responses due by 1 March 2027.
The engagement exercise is taking place before the programme's planned start in April 2027. It gives contractors an early opportunity to comment on how the work could be divided and delivered, even as the authority continues to seek confirmation of funding for projects beyond the core allocation.
The programme therefore combines a confirmed core allocation with a wider pipeline that remains conditional. That structure is relevant to contractors assessing which packages to pursue, because schemes requiring further business case approval may move on a different timetable from those backed by the core funding.