Transport for London (TfL) has begun early market engagement for a road tunnel maintenance contract estimated at £180m excluding VAT.
The proposed contract is expected to run from 1 April 2029 to 1 April 2037, with a possible extension to 31 March 2041. TfL’s existing Tunnels and Pumping Stations Contract is due to end on 31 March 2029.
TfL stressed that the notice is not a live tender. It is a preliminary market engagement exercise under the Procurement Act 2023, and suppliers cannot submit bids at this stage.
Scope of the proposed contract
The authority currently operates and maintains 10 road tunnels, with two additional tunnels on the A13 expected to come under its responsibility from 2030. The estate also includes associated infrastructure, around 107 pumping stations and intelligent transport systems on the 90km London Road Tunnel Network Traffic Control System.
Potential services include planned, preventative and reactive maintenance; inspections, testing and condition monitoring; fault and incident response; asset performance reporting; cleaning; replacement of consumables and components; inventory management; and physical and cyber security for operational systems.
The systems covered include mechanical and electrical equipment, communications networks, traffic control assets and safety-related infrastructure such as lighting, signs and pumps.
The notice gives an estimated value of £180m excluding VAT, or £216m including VAT. It identifies a dynamic market as the proposed commercial tool, although TfL said the engagement does not commit it to a particular procurement strategy, delivery model or contract structure.
Questionnaire deadline
TfL said its Market Sounding Questionnaire is expected to launch from 12 October and remain open for at least three weeks. The deadline to express an interest in the engagement is 30 October 2026.
Suppliers wishing to participate should contact TfL’s commercial manager for road surface tunnels at ForhanMiah@tfl.gov.uk. The notice is listed on Find a Tender under reference WS2986809626.