Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service

Cornwall Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

15 Jul 2026 at 16:31

UK4 - Tender Notice
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 Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service is currently at the tender stage, providing a significant opportunity for businesses to supply toll collection services at the Tamar Bridge, a critical infrastructure crossing between Cornwall and Plymouth. This procurement is managed by Cornwall Council in collaboration with Plymouth City Council, targeting suppliers with capabilities in toll-collection and related service provisions. Presently tagged as "active," the tender process invites submissions until 26 August 2026, with a tender period that closes on that date. The contract, anticipated to start on 1 April 2027, has an initial term of three years, with options for extensions up to a total of eight years, aligning with investigations into potential Open Road Tolling implementations. The procurement method is open, allowing extensive participation to meet the specified requirements in the industry categories of bridge toll services and toll-collection services, covering the region of UKK41.

This tender represents a substantial business growth opportunity for companies in the toll collection and infrastructure support sectors, particularly those with experience in managing 24/7 operations with both physical collection and automation capabilities. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, and the procurement process supports electronic submissions, promoting broad accessibility. The total estimated contract value over the maximum term is approximately £8,350,221, offering a lucrative potential for companies able to demonstrate strong financial standing, technical proficiency, and compliance with relevant service standards, including TUPE considerations. Successful businesses will showcase robust workforce management, adaptability to future tolling technologies, and adherence to the provided financial and technical criteria to position themselves as competitive contenders in this open procedural tender.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Tamar Bridge Toll Collection Service

Notice Description

Tamar Crossings and Cornwall Council, on behalf of the parent authorities of Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council, invites tender submissions from suitable suppliers to provide a replacement contract for toll collection services at Tamar Bridge, as the current contract is reaching the end of its full term. Tolls collected at the Tamar Bridge represent the major source of income for the Tamar Bridge and a physical presence is still required in each of the five mixed mode toll lanes and to support our two automated lanes. Tolls are collected in one direction only following crossing, from a plaza located on the eastern (Plymouth) side of the river. A secondary element of office and rest facility cleaning has allowed contractors to productively engage reserve support staff in this activity. The routine presence of contractor's supervisors and the pool of capable staff ensures cleaning is completed to appropriate levels of quality and there is robust continuity for both toll collection and cleaning provided by the appointed contractor. This high-profile 24/7/365 service has been contracted out since 1986, with the current contract expiring on 31 March 2027 a new arrangement is required 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. For the avoidance of doubt, suppliers should be aware that Tamar Bridge have a maximum available budget of PS944,671 for the initial year of this opportunity and that no contingency beyond this sum exists. An inflation mechanism exists within the contact, allowing adjustment to apply annually from the first anniversary of the starting date to take account of cost inflation with the percentage change to the National Living Wage applied to 50% of the contract price and the percentage change over 12 months to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) applied to 50% of the contract price. Any such adjustment will be facilitated by discussion and agreement with the contract manager. Please refer to the Invitation to Tender and Contract document for further information. It should be noted that the estimated total value of the requirement over the maximum available term of eight (8) years as advertised in this notice is a value of PS8,350,221. This figure is without VAT and includes an allowance of 4% per annum compound indexation of the contract price and should be taken as best estimate only. The Authority anticipates that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) may apply to this contract. It should also be noted the Authorities reserve the right on giving written notice to the Supplier from time to time to require changes to the Services (including by way of the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, or increasing or decreasing the Services or specifying the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided) for any reason whatsoever. In the event of a Variation the Contract Price may also be varied. Such variation in the Contract Price shall be calculated by the Supplier and agreed in writing with the Authorities and shall be such amount as properly and fairly reflects the nature and extent of the Variation in all the circumstances.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 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. Therefore the procurement includes five one year optional extensions providing a maximum extension of up to five years in total. For clarity these may be taken cumulatively or flexibly as required, meaning multiple extension periods might be taken up simultaneously and in any combination, giving a maximum possible duration of eight years including the initial term. The Authority gives no guarantee that the Contract will be extended in line with the available options.

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/066943-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender 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
£8,350,221 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,350,221 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
17 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
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
Postcode Area
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK41 Plymouth
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...