Tees Valley's combined authority has begun asking construction firms how best to package a five-year transport programme, after submitting its wish-list to the Department for Transport.
The programme would 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 wider programme includes projects that still require further business-case approvals and additional financial backing. The authority's headline £1bn wish-list therefore goes beyond the funding already committed.
The scheme list includes the Darlington Northern Link Road, upgrades to the A66 and A689 corridors, a new platform at Middlesbrough Station and the redevelopment of Thornaby Station. It also covers a proposed new station at Teesside International Airport, improvements to Middlesbrough bus station and transport links serving the Teesworks development.
Delivering the full programme will depend on government support and potentially further outside funding, the authority acknowledged. The confirmed £978m provides a base for the core programme, but it does not cover every scheme on the list. That means some schemes are backed by confirmed core funding while others remain subject to future approvals or extra investment.
Steve Harker, the combined authority's cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said major transport schemes often require significant additional funding even for a devolved body. He said government backing was vital because it would allow external bodies to help finance the programme, giving the region the best chance to deliver as many projects as possible in good time.
Despite the funding uncertainty, 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 large deal. The authority wants contractors' views on how the potential work should be grouped before it finalises the route to market.
It is also considering a programme-wide alliance using the FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract model. The aim would be to bring delivery partners together and encourage regional contractors and SMEs to take part.
The authority is seeking industry feedback before it settles the packaging of the work. Its current thinking points to separate contracts for different disciplines, with an alliance structure potentially sitting alongside them to coordinate delivery.
An initial supplier launch event was held on 9 November. Firms are now invited to give feedback through a market engagement questionnaire, with responses due by 1 March 2027.