Bury Highways Works Framework: £72m Opportunity and Why Early Engagement Matters

The Metropolitan Borough of Bury has announced a major procurement opportunity for highways and civil engineering suppliers. The upcoming Highways Works Framework, valued at £72 million including VAT, will open for tender in June 2026, with the framework expected to run from January 2027 to December 2030.

This framework represents a significant commercial opportunity, but success will depend on your preparation. In this article, we’ll explain the scope of the framework, outline the individual lots, and show how early engagement and planning can give you the edge when bidding.

What Is the Bury Highways Works Framework?

The Highways Works Framework will cover a wide range of construction, maintenance and specialist civil engineering services across Bury and the wider North West region. It is being procured via an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and is expected to be available for a diverse supplier base, including SMEs with the right evidence and credentials.

Key Details at a Glance

• Estimated tender notice: 1 June 2026
• Deadline for submissions: 1 July 2026
• Contract start date: 1 January 2027
• Framework duration: 4 years
• Total value: £72,000,000 (including VAT)
• Authority: Metropolitan Borough of Bury
• Location: Greater Manchester North East

Framework Scope and Lots

The framework will be divided into 7 distinct lots, each with a clear technical and operational focus:

• Lot 1: Planned Maintenance (Paving and Specialist Projects)
  Regular resurfacing and public realm upgrades, including decorative paving and town centre improvements.
• Lot 2: Carriageway Surfacing
  Asphalt surfacing using HRA, SMA and other bituminous materials.
• Lot 3: Lining (Including Coloured Surface Overlay)
  Road markings, surface treatments and aesthetic upgrades.
• Lot 4: Civils (Drainage Works and Specialist Projects)
  Drainage, minor structures and enabling works.
• Lot 5: CCTV - Jetting/Inspections
  Inspection and jetting services to support drainage infrastructure.
• Lot 6: Highway Structures
  Bridge works and structural support for the highway network.
• Lot 7: Coring
  Core testing and materials investigation to assess asset condition.

Why Early Engagement Is Critical

While the tender isn’t due to be published until June 2026, the framework’s size, scope and complexity mean that waiting until the notice drops is a mistake. Bidding success often comes down to preparation, not just price.

1. Build Your Bid Library Now

From health and safety policies to environmental commitments, technical case studies to mobilisation plans, many of the documents you’ll need are already within reach, but likely disorganised or incomplete.

Creating a bid library now means:

• Faster response times once the tender goes live
• Better quality and consistency
• More confidence from your evaluators

Explore our bid templates service to build out your library with expert guidance.

2. Choose the Right Lots and Strategy

This framework offers multiple access points, but that doesn’t mean every supplier should go after every lot.

Early engagement helps you:

• Align your strengths with the most relevant lots
• Consider partnership or consortium approaches if required
• Avoid overcommitment or wasted effort

Need clarity on your approach? Talk to our bid strategy consultants for tailored advice.

3. Ensure Compliance Readiness

Public sector frameworks increasingly involve:

• Carbon Reduction Plans
• Social Value proposals
• Prompt payment policies
• Health & safety, quality, and safeguarding protocols

Don’t wait until submission week to discover you're missing something vital. Our team can guide you through bid readiness reviews to flag and fix issues early.

4. Plan Your Pricing and Mobilisation Now

Bury’s framework will span various service levels, site conditions and job types. Your pricing strategy needs to be robust yet flexible, and your mobilisation plan must inspire confidence.

We can support with:

• Transparent pricing narrative and structure
• Scenario modelling for costed works
• Scalable mobilisation planning for reactive and planned works

How Thornton & Lowe Can Support Your Success

We help infrastructure and civils suppliers plan, prepare and win complex public sector tenders through:

• Bid Writing Services
• Bid Training
• Bid Strategy & Storyboarding
• Compliance Reviews & Submission Checks
• Social Value and Carbon Reduction Support
• Tender Pipeline Alerts for New Frameworks

Next Steps

With £72 million of work on offer, this is a high-value opportunity for civils contractors, highways maintenance providers and infrastructure SMEs. But the window to respond will be short, and competition will be high.

Now is the time to engage. Let’s get your documents, strategy and bid team ready now, so you can respond with speed and confidence in 2026.

Call Thornton & Lowe on 01204 238 046 or book a bid consultation to start getting prepared for the Highways Works Framework.