National Highways is to sign its £775m National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) 3 contract with Telent Technology Services via a direct award, after an ‘unsuccessful competitive tendering procedure’ in which the only other competing tender was forced to withdraw.

However the agency says that the earliest date the contract will be signed is 15 September 2027, with an end date of 15 March 2035, with a possible two year extension.

A National Highways statement said:

“National Highways is notifying the market pursuant to sections 43 and 44 of the Procurement Act 2023 that, after careful consideration, it has decided to switch to a direct award process and, subject to the conditions set out in this notice, intends to award the NRTS3 Contract to Telent.

It continued:

“Consequently, National Highways’ current intention is to proceed to contract award with Telent. National Highways is still conducting a process with Telent to ensure compliance with the objectives at section 12 Procurement Act 2023.”

Telent has been working with National Highways to transform and operate the National Roads Telecommunications Service (NRTS) since 2018. During this time, it says a portfolio of digital platforms has been delivered to modernise the connectivity infrastructure, improve the reliability and operating performance across the network, and provide new innovative connectivity solutions, as foundations for better use of digital services in the future.

The contract supports National Highways’ Digital Road Strategy to further increase safety for road workers and users, while helping drivers and their passengers to travel with minimal delays.

The operation and management of NRTS by Telent connects over 36,000 services, including CCTV and video, information and communications systems, and traffic monitoring sensors, all of which enable National Highways to operate the Strategic Road Network.

(Picture: Telent)