The Tees Valley combined authority has submitted its five-year transport wish-list to the Department for Transport and has begun asking construction firms how the potential workload should be packaged for procurement.
The programme is set 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, but the broader list behind the £1bn headline also contains projects that still require further business-case approvals and additional financial backing.
Schemes on the list
The authority's named priorities mix new-build road and rail work with station and interchange improvements:
- 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.
Funding caveat stated upfront
Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said it was important for people to understand that although the body is devolved, major transport schemes often need significant additional funding. Government backing for the plans was therefore 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 several contracts covering highways, rail, civil engineering and specialist infrastructure, rather than award a single large deal.
It is also considering a programme-wide alliance built on 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.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November, and firms are now invited to give feedback through a market engagement questionnaire. Contractors have until 1 March 2027 to respond.