The North East authority behind a five-year Tees Valley transport wish-list has begun early supplier engagement after submitting the programme to the Department for Transport. It is asking construction firms how best to package the potential work.
The programme is planned to run from April 2027 to March 2032 and covers major road schemes, railway upgrades, bus infrastructure, active travel and transport technology.
The programme spans five years and covers both new construction and upgrades to existing transport infrastructure.
The 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. The authority has acknowledged that delivering the full programme will depend on Government support and potentially further outside funding.
Schemes in the programme
Major schemes on the list include:
- the Darlington Northern Link Road;
- upgrades to the A66 and A689 corridors;
- a new platform at Middlesbrough Station;
- the redevelopment of Thornaby Station.
Other ambitions include a new station at Teesside International Airport, improvements to Middlesbrough bus station and transport links serving the Teesworks development.
Funding and delivery conditions
Steve Harker, the combined authority’s cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said it was crucial people understood that, while the body is devolved, major transport schemes often require significant additional funding.
He said Government backing for the plans was vital because it would allow external bodies to help fund the programme. That support, he added, would give the region the best chance of delivering as many projects as possible in good time.
The confirmed £978m therefore sits alongside a broader list of projects at different stages of development. Further approvals and outside funding would be needed before the full programme could be delivered, the authority has said.
Procurement and supplier engagement
Despite the funding uncertainties, 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. The authority is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model to bring together delivery partners and encourage regional contractors and SMEs to participate.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November. Firms are now invited to provide feedback through a market engagement questionnaire, and contractors have until 1 March 2027 to respond.
The engagement process is taking place well before the programme’s planned start in April 2027, as the authority prepares the way it will package and procure the work.