The North East combined authority has submitted a five-year transport programme to the Department for Transport and is asking construction firms how the potential work should be packaged. 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 government has already confirmed £978m of core transport funding for the region. The wider programme, however, includes projects that would 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.
Major schemes on the list 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. Other ambitions include a new station at Teesside International Airport, improvements to Middlesbrough bus station and transport links serving the Teesworks development.
Steve Harker, the combined authority’s cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said it was important for people to understand that major transport schemes often need significant additional funding, even for a devolved body. He said government backing for the plans was vital because it would allow external bodies to help fund the programme, giving the region the best chance of delivering as many projects as possible in good time.
Procurement and market engagement
Despite the funding uncertainties, the authority is pressing ahead with early supplier engagement as it prepares its procurement strategy. It expects to let multiple contracts covering highways, rail, civil engineering and specialist infrastructure rather than award one large deal.
The authority is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model. The approach would bring together delivery partners and encourage regional contractors and small and medium-sized enterprises to participate, according to the authority.
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. Interested companies have been asked to register an interest.
The confirmed £978m provides core funding, but the programme list separates that support from schemes that still need further approvals. As a result, the final scope and contract packaging are still being developed, and the authority is using market engagement to inform its procurement approach before the programme begins in 2027. The questionnaire is intended to gather industry feedback before the authority finalises how the work will be tendered.