After three years of suffering under heavy Welsh government restrictions on road building, the country's roads contractors are set for a boost, with a surge in new work expected through a major new framework.
The restrictions have been primarily aimed at major projects, while the South Wales Trunk Road Authority's new highways and structures framework will bring through smaller schemes. Initially expected to produce spending of £270m, this target has now been hiked to £405m (excluding VAT).
A total of eight contractors will be appointed across two lots. Lot 1 is valued at £252m and will cover carriageway maintenance, structural renewals, bridge strengthening, active travel infrastructure, safety fencing, tunnel works and road safety improvements. Lot 2 is valued at £153m and will focus on road surfacing and pavement repairs.
Procurement is being led by Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, alongside Carmarthenshire County Council and Monmouthshire County Council. The framework will serve the strategic road network across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, Swansea, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Monmouthshire, Newport and the Gwent valleys.
The agreement will initially run for four years from April 2027, with options to extend for another two years to March 2033. Contractors have until noon on 18 December to submit tenders. An award is scheduled for March 8, 2027.
Full contract details and how to apply can be found here.
