£150m Highways Framework Launched for the Black Country

The City of Wolverhampton Council has unveiled a new £150 million highways works framework covering the Black Country region.

Running from April 2026 to March 2030, with the potential for a one-year extension, the framework will succeed the Black Country Minor Works Framework, which currently includes Colas among its contractors.

This four-year agreement will enable local authorities across the West Midlands to commission a wide range of highways-related projects. The scope includes excavation, flexible pavement construction, installation of lighting columns and pedestrian crossings, drainage works, as well as park and ride schemes, subway demolitions, and coordination with utility providers.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is leading the procurement on behalf of Black Country Transport, in collaboration with Birmingham City Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, Wolverhampton Homes, and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

To ensure fair access, the framework will be divided into four value bands, ranging from projects under £250,000 to those up to £10 million. Each supplier may apply for a maximum of two lots, with individual work packages awarded either through direct award or mini-competition, using the NEC4 contract suite.

A total of up to 25 suppliers are expected to be appointed. While the overall estimated value of the framework is £180 million including VAT, the council notes that this figure is indicative, with no guaranteed contract values.

The framework has been designed to encourage participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly for the lower-value categories.

Interested contractors must submit their bids by 12pm on 12 December 2025, with contract awards anticipated by the end of February 2026.