Tendering for Birmingham’s highways contract will start next Monday as the five week pre-qualification period will begin for the contract recently restructured by the newly formed Birmingham Highways and Birmingham City Council.

The council reports a strong attendance at a supplier’s day last month, which provided a briefing on the contract. Consultants and contractors attending included Arup, Arcadis, Balfour Beatty, Carnell, Colas, Egis, Kier and Tarmac.

The new contract will cover the remaining 12 years of the initial agreement, from April 2023 to June 2035, reports Construction Index.

BHL, owned by Equitix and PIP Infrastructure Investments, has been working with the city council since April to restructure the contract, which covers capital works and maintenance of more than 2,500km of road and 5,000km of footpath.

Kevin Hicks, Birmingham City Council Assistant Director for Highways & Infrastructure) said: “The interest and engagement we have seen from across the industry in response to the suppliers’ day has been extremely encouraging. In addition it has demonstrated the resolve amongst all contractors with respect to their commitment to work with us and focus on delivering the best possible set of highway services for people of Birmingham.”

Natasha Rouse, Chief Executive of BHL added: “The positive response and engagement from key market players gives us a good foundation for the start to procurement process later this month.”