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Historical Railways Estate - Examinations Contracts

National Highways · Central government

In brief

National Highways has announced plans to buy architecture and engineering work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £25,000,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 7 years, up to 10 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2028.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 11 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Replacement contracts for the existing Historical Railways Estate Examinations contracts which expire in March 2028. The Historical Railways Estate (HRE) is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets which were once part of Britain's rail network, with many structures that are over 100 years old. These structures reside within England, Scotland & Wales. Once managed by BRB (Residuary) Limited, which was dissolved in 2013, National Highways has been responsible for looking after these structures on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) since September 2013. The Estate is made up of a wide variety of structures and other assets that National Highways is required to maintain and…Read the full description
Replacement contracts for the existing Historical Railways Estate Examinations contracts which expire in March 2028. The Historical Railways Estate (HRE) is a collection of over 3,100 structures and assets which were once part of Britain's rail network, with many structures that are over 100 years old. These structures reside within England, Scotland & Wales. Once managed by BRB (Residuary) Limited, which was dissolved in 2013, National Highways has been responsible for looking after these structures on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT) since September 2013. The Estate is made up of a wide variety of structures and other assets that National Highways is required to maintain and make safe, so the work generally involves repairs, strengthening, restoration and cyclical maintenance/surveys/inspections. National Highways cannot provide these services in-house and therefore is required to outsource these activities to compliant suppliers. Further Details relating to HRE is available on the National Highways website: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/historical-railways-estate/about-the-hre/ Scope requirements: Visual & Detailed examinations of structures. Compliance with Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 Emergency Callouts for incidences such as: - Bridge strikes - Parapet damage - Trespass fence repair - Reports from Local Authority of potentially unsafe structures - Bridge markings - Monitoring of defects

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 045810-2026

About the buyer

National HighwaysLast 12 months

Procurements

332

Awards

253

Suppliers it has used most for architecture and engineering

  1. Vehicle Restraint Systems

    The Association of North East Councils LimitedNorth EastConstruction, Highways and street lighting

    Closing soon4 hours left3 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £50mframework ceiling
  2. West Northamptonshire Council Temporary Accommodation White Goods, Furniture and Services Framework

    West Northamptonshire CouncilEast MidlandsBuilding maintenance and repairs, Electrical

    Closing soon4 hours left3 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £900kframework ceiling
  3. ISO11 Fumigation Lobby Replacement Project - Civil Works and CDM Principal Designer/Principal Contractor Role

    The Pirbright InstituteSouth EastConstruction, Management consultancy

    Closing soon4 hours leftSmall contract

    £154kestimated
  4. Design Consultancy Framework

    Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustSouth EastManagement consultancy, IT services and software

    Closing soon4 hours leftExpress interest11 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £4.5mframework ceiling
  5. Specialist Consultancy Advice and Investigation Services

    Centre for Process Innovation LimitedNorth EastArchitecture and engineering

    Closing soon4 hours leftSmall contractFramework

    £173kframework ceiling

From notice 045810-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 19 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.