A North East combined authority has submitted a five-year transport wish-list to the Department for Transport and is now asking construction firms how the potential work should be packaged up for procurement.
The programme is due to run from April 2027 to March 2032 and covers major road schemes, railway upgrades, bus infrastructure, active travel and transport technology. The wish-list has been put at about £1bn, although only part of the money is settled.
Schemes on the list
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 list will depend on Government support and potentially further outside funding.
- 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
How the work could be packaged
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. Because the list runs from strategic road corridors and station rebuilds to bus facilities, airport access and development-linked links, the individual packages are expected to differ widely in size and discipline.
The authority is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model, which would bring delivery partners together and is intended to encourage regional contractors and SMEs to take part.
Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said it was crucial for people to understand 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.
The 9 November event was the initial launch of the programme to the supplier market, and firms have now been invited to provide feedback through a market engagement questionnaire. Contractors have until 1 March 2027 to respond.