Planning

Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

23 Jan 2026 at 10:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Jan 2026 at 11:49

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is being organised by Cornwall Council, in coordination with Plymouth City Council, for the Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service. This service pertains to the public authority sub-central government category, located in United Kingdom regions UKK30 (Truro) and UKK41 (Plymouth). The process is currently in the planning stage as of 23rd January 2026, with a market engagement scheduled to close on 20th February 2026. The key focus of this tender is to manage toll collection services that have been outsourced since 1986. The initial contract term is set for three years starting from 1st April 2027, with the possibility of extending up to eight years, and is structured to accommodate potential future changes in tolling systems.

This tender presents an excellent opportunity for businesses specialising in toll collection services and those offering support to automated payment systems. Companies capable of providing continuous 24/7/365 service, including any related cleaning services for onsite facilities, would find this tender particularly suitable. Additionally, businesses that can facilitate the transfer of employment as outlined by TUPE regulations would benefit from this opportunity. Given the open procedure procurement method, the process encourages participation from a broad spectrum of businesses including SMEs, by ensuring compliance with an open and transparent tendering process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service

Notice Description

Tolls collected at the Tamar Bridge represent the major source of income for the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry which are operated and maintained as self-financing infrastructure. Despite offering a range of automated and cash-free payment options, a physical presence is still required in each of the five mixed mode toll lanes and to support our two automated lanes. This high-profile 24/7/365 service has been contracted out since 1986, with the current contract expiring on 31 March 2027. The Authority seeks to procure a new arrangement with an initial contract term of three years, with optional extensions of up to five years in total, in any combination, giving a maximum possible duration of eight years. The structure and flexibility of the extension options are necessary due to ongoing investigations into the potential implementation of an Open Road Tolling (ORT) system. Introduction of ORT would directly affect future service requirements, and the potential for change requires that the Authority retain discretion over if, and for how long, the extension options are exercised. The contract incorporates a cleaning requirement for the adjoining buildings, providing some onsite flexibility of resources for the appointed contractor. It is envisaged that a TUPE transfer of staff will be necessary.

Planning Information

Tamar Crossings is conducting a soft market assessment to gain an understanding of the potential level of interest across all sectors in provision of toll collection services (TCS) at the Tamar Bridge. The Crossings does so on behalf of the owning Authorities, Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council. The TCS is for the provision of staff to process vehicles and payments to meet a 24/7/365 operating schedule at toll booths located at the eastern (Plymouth) extremity of the Tamar suspension bridge. Whilst this service is well established and has been provided by third parties over several decades, it is intended that the responses supplied will enable the Crossings to further develop and refine a business proposal. The proposal would be subject to the development and approval of a refreshed business case, and, as such, this exercise implies no commercial commitment. This is not a formal tender document and participation of this soft market assessment will not prejudice suppliers participating in any future procurement. Please visit our procurement portal (Proactis.com) www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk – Project No. DN803005, Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service, here after expressing an interest you will be able to access and download the Soft Market Test documents. Please then return your completed Soft Market Test document by close of Friday 20th February 2026, via the procurement portal (Proactis.com) www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk – Project No. DN803005, Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060785
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006085-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

63712311 - Bridge toll services

79941000 - Toll-collection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,050,080 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Jun 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CORNWALL COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location
TLK41 Plymouth
Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
St Peter and the Waterfront
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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