Salford City Council has launched procurement for a £300 million framework covering highways, civil engineering, bridges and landscaping works across the city.
The Technical and Highways Works Framework comprises five lots and is expected to start on 1 April 2027, with an initial three-year term running until 31 March 2030.
The council intends to reopen the framework to new bidders after years three and six, with the overall arrangement expected to run until 31 March 2035. There is no limit on the number of suppliers that can be appointed.
Minor civil engineering accounts for the largest lot, with an estimated value of £100 million. This includes resurfacing major and minor roads and footways, alongside smaller network improvements supporting the council’s Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.
Contracts worth up to £150,000, adjusted in line with the Building Cost Information Service index, will be allocated through a ranked supplier system. The highest-ranked contractor will be offered each job first, with work passed to the next supplier if it is unable to accept.
A further £90 million lot covers major civil engineering, including the design and delivery of highway alterations throughout the project lifecycle. Schemes could range from individual pedestrian crossings to active travel corridors and major junction improvements.
Work above £150,000 will be awarded through further competitions, up to the relevant procurement threshold in force when each competition opens.
The framework also includes a £20 million specialist surface treatments lot, covering labour, supervision, plant, materials, traffic management, testing and temporary works. All contracts under this lot will be awarded through further competition.
A £30 million structures and bridges lot covers the construction of new highway structures, together with maintenance and strengthening of existing assets. These include retaining walls, road bridges, footbridges, subways and signal gantries.
The council said the framework’s estimated £300 million value excludes VAT and that appointment does not guarantee any work.
(Picture: Shahid Khan)
