North Somerset Council Opens £5.1m Tender for Highways Electrical Assets Contract with Smart Technology Focus

North Somerset Council has launched a £5.1 million tender for the maintenance, installation, and upgrade of highways electrical assets, including streetlighting, traffic management systems, and supporting infrastructure. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030, with the option of two additional one-year extensions, potentially extending until 31 March 2032.

The council is seeking a contractor capable of delivering a comprehensive, future-proof service that covers both routine and reactive maintenance as well as the installation of new and replacement assets. In addition to traditional responsibilities, the role is expected to accommodate emerging trends in smart infrastructure and sustainable technologies, supporting energy efficiency, operational resilience, and environmental targets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintenance of streetlighting and illuminated traffic management systems, including inspections, emergency repairs, and routine service schedules.

• Upkeep of private underground cable networks that support highways infrastructure.

• Installation of new assets and replacement of existing systems, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

• Incorporation of smart technologies, including:

  • LED and adaptive lighting systems that adjust brightness based on traffic or ambient conditions to reduce energy consumption.

  • Connected streetlights and IoT-enabled monitoring, allowing real-time fault detection, predictive maintenance, and remote control.

  • Integration with smart traffic management systems for safer, more efficient road networks.

• Future-proofing and sustainability, ensuring the network can accommodate new technologies, renewable energy sources, and carbon-reduction initiatives in line with council and national Net Zero targets.

Strategic Goals and Industry Trends

The council highlights the importance of energy efficiency, resilience, and digital integration in modern highways electrical management. Smart streetlighting systems are increasingly becoming a cornerstone of urban and rural infrastructure, enabling municipalities to:

• Reduce operational and energy costs through adaptive control and real-time monitoring.

• Minimise downtime and disruption by predicting maintenance needs before failures occur.

• Enhance road safety through better-lit streets and integrated traffic signals.

• Support future mobility solutions, such as connected vehicles and autonomous transport systems.

  
  

North Somerset Council expects the successful contractor to demonstrate robust operational capacity, including skilled personnel, specialist equipment, and advanced maintenance management systems. The emphasis will also be on collaboration, innovation, and ensuring minimal disruption to residents and road users during maintenance and installation activities.

Submission Details

Tenders are due by 21 October 2025, with the council planning to announce the successful bidder on 4 December 2025. The award of this contract represents a significant step in the council’s strategy to modernise highways infrastructure, improve road safety, and implement sustainable, technology-driven solutions that will serve the community for years to come.