This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Jul 2026 at 13:35

Summary of the contracting process

The Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, operating as Nexus, is in the planning stages of an ambitious project titled "Metro to Washington", situated in the Newcastle upon Tyne area. This initiative is part of a broader industry focus on rail and light rail development in the UKC region. The project's scope encompasses extending the Metro network by 13 kilometres, intending to link Pelaw with South Hylton via Washington, with three new stations planned. As a public undertaking, Nexus is collaborating with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and technical partners like Arup to advance from feasibility studies to an Outline Business Case by March 2027, with construction tentatively planned for 2030. An immediate opportunity arises for market engagement, with a crucial preliminary market engagement event scheduled for 14th July 2026, and interested parties are encouraged to register by 10th July 2026.

This project presents significant opportunities for businesses operating in railway engineering, construction, and related services. With an estimated project cost of £900 million, businesses specializing in railway station construction, signalling works, overhead line construction, and railway engineering services are ideally positioned to benefit. Companies providing innovative solutions in sustainable and integrated transport infrastructure will find this a prime opportunity to contribute to a transformative regional project, fostering business growth through potential contracts and partnerships. Engaging in the scheduled market engagement activities could provide businesses with early insights into project requirements and procurement strategies, enhancing their competitiveness in future bidding processes.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Metro to Washington

Notice Description

As the Passenger Transport Executive for Tyne and Wear, Nexus is responsible for the maintenance and development of public transport networks across the region, including the Tyne and Wear Metro. Nexus is undertaking a project, known as Metro to Washington, to extend the Metro system by 13km. The new route will link with existing stations at Pelaw and South Hylton via Washington and plans include three new stations at Follingsby, Washington North and Washington South. Metro to Washington is a transformative project that will unlock access to highly skilled jobs and opportunities, deliver clean, green, accessible and modern integrated transport, and build a resilient and secure public transport solution to meet demand in Washington in the wider region. The project is estimated to cost in the region of PS900 million and will involve the construction of three new stations, including civils and structures, building services, electrical and mechanical, overhead line and permanent way. Nexus is working with the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority on an Outline Business Case (OBC) for Metro to Washington, planned for submission in March 2027. Alongside this, we're progressing from feasibility through to outline design with our technical partners, Arup. Proposed contract dates for detailed design and construction are subject to further funding and chosen procurement approach, but construction is indicatively planned from 2030. The three phases of Metro to Washington are: Phase 1: 2023 - 2027 'Plan' - Feasibility study. Surveys. Outline designs. Value for Money Assessment. Phase 2: 2027 - 2030 'Planning' - Planning permission. Contractor procurement. Cost confirmation. Phase 3: 2030 onwards 'Plans' - Award contracts. Complete the Detailed design. Deliver the scheme Nexus is undertaking preliminary market engagement to provide an overview of the project and emerging procurement strategy and is seeking valuable insights from the market as it develops those plans.

Planning Information

All potential suppliers wishing to participate in the Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) please confirm your interest by emailing tenders@nexus.org.uk with reference 'Metro to Washington'. Upon receipt, you will be provided with further information for a market engagement event, run in partnership with the Rail Industry Association (RIA), on Tuesday 14th July 2026. Attendees will need to create an account with RIA as part of the registration process. Registration is free of charge, but early registration is recommended to ensure sufficient time to address any potential issues. The deadline for event registration is Friday 10th July 2026 at 17:00. The initial event will cover Metro to Washington, as well as broader Light Rail opportunities in Tyne & Wear, including Metro Go, which is subject of a separate notice. The event will feature presentations by Nexus and interactive workshops with Nexus and other delegates. The detailed agenda and event structure will be provided following confirmation of interest Metro to Washington is an evolving project. The purpose of the initial event is to provide early insight into Nexus' anticipated requirements and receive feedback from attendees. All information shared at the event is therefore indicative and subject to change. Should Nexus proceed to procurement, its requirements will be set out in the procurement documents, which will take precedence over any information provided at the event. Suppliers who are unable to attend the event (or who do not wish to do so) can nevertheless still register their interest in Metro to Washington, to receive materials presented at the event and be notified of any future market engagement, by emailing tenders@nexus.org.uk Such future market engagement may include additional events (in person or virtual), meetings (multi-lateral or bilateral), written requests and submissions (such as questionnaires) and other related activity. Nexus may, but may not, publish further notices regarding such future events, so interested suppliers are encouraged to register now if they wish to be invited to participate in the ongoing engagement programme.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c171
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061815-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

34632000 - Railways traffic-control equipment

34946000 - Railway-track construction materials and supplies

45213320 - Construction work for buildings relating to railway transport

45213321 - Railway station construction work

45232210 - Overhead line construction

45234115 - Railway signalling works

45234116 - Track construction works

45255120 - Platforms facilities construction work

45316200 - Installation of signalling equipment

71311230 - Railway engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 1 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
TYNE AND WEAR PASSENGER TRANSPORT EXECUTIVE T/A NEXUS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5DE
Post Town
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)

Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

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.

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