Bromley Council Launches £71m Tender for Highways and Street Lighting Contracts

Bromley Council has initiated a major procurement exercise worth £71 million to appoint contractors for highways and street lighting maintenance across the borough.

The local authority is inviting bids under two distinct lots—major works and minor works—with the flexibility for contractors to apply for either or both. However, strict turnover requirements apply depending on the scope of works pursued.

The contracts are scheduled to commence on 1 July 2026, running through to 30 June 2032, with the possibility of extending by up to four additional years. The total estimated value of the programme is £71 million excluding VAT, rising to £85.2 million including VAT.

Lot 1: Major Works – £47m

The first lot, valued at £47 million (ex. VAT), will cover a broad scope of planned maintenance and improvement works across the borough’s footways and carriageways. Activities include:

• Resurfacing using asphaltic concrete and hot rolled asphalt
• Urban regeneration schemes
• Road marking and anti-skid treatments
• Street lighting improvements
• Emergency response support

To qualify for this lot, contractors must demonstrate a minimum annual turnover of £9.4 million.

Lot 2: Minor Works – £24m

The second lot, worth £24 million (ex. VAT), focuses on reactive and emergency maintenance, encompassing:

• Winter gritting and maintenance
• Emergency repairs and patching
• Traffic management services
• Drainage and minor repairs

Bidders for this lot must show an annual turnover of at least £4.8 million.

Firms applying for both lots must meet a combined turnover threshold of £14.2 million.

Evaluation Criteria and Timeline

The procurement process will follow an open procedure, with tenders evaluated on a 60/40 split between price and quality. Quality criteria will include:

• Operational competence
• Information governance
• Contract monitoring
• Localism and community engagement
• Overall contract management approach

Submissions must be made via the ProContract portal by 12pm on 16 January 2026, with contract awards expected by 20 March 2026.

Existing Network and Background

Bromley Council is responsible for maintaining an extensive network comprising 852 miles of footways, 523 miles of carriageways, and over 28,000 lighting columns and illuminated signs.

The existing contracts were last tendered in 2015, with the next procurement round anticipated in 2035, aligning with the council’s long-term asset management strategy.

Find out more here