Lincolnshire council shines light on £180m highways procurement framework

Lincolnshire County Council has launched early market engagement for a new highways framework expected to be worth up to £180m.

The four-year deal, set to begin on 3 November this year, will cover general works and resurfacing schemes across the county. It will replace the council’s existing highways select list.

The framework will be split into three price-banded lots. Lot one, for general works valued between £0 and £1.5m, includes junction improvements, drainage, bridge refurbishments and town centre enhancements. Lot two, covering schemes worth between £1.5m and £6m, focuses on new-build or major infrastructure upgrades such as roundabouts, dual carriageways and development access roads.

Lot three will cover major resurfacing works on A and B roads across the county, with contracts valued up to £6m. Works will include full-depth reconstruction, hot rolled asphalt resurfacing, and potentially kerbs, drainage and bridge joint repairs.

All lots will be subject to mini-competition, the council said today (26 June) in a preliminary market engagement notice.

The framework is intended to offer flexibility and ensure schemes are matched to contractors' expertise.

Lincolnshire County Council said it undertook early engagement with 13 suppliers ahead of the notice, which was published under the new Procurement Act 2023.

The council will continue working with other delivery partners and framework members.

Contractors will be expected to provide value-for-money schemes and coordinate traffic management measures including road closures and convoy working in rural and urban settings.

The framework has an estimated value of £150m excluding VAT, and will run until 2 November 2029.