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Technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall

Launceston Town Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Sep 2026 at 15:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Launceston Town Council is commissioning a technical feasibility study for a possible new railway between Launceston and Bodmin in Cornwall. The study supports a long-term strategic review of rail transport in Cornwall and will examine whether the proposed railway can be constructed. It is a specialist transport planning and rail consultancy service, covering passenger and freight route alignments and profiles, strategic evaluation of transport corridors, and comparison of alternative options. The appointed consultant will develop the required study output and presentation, informed by the aims and objectives set out in the Consultants’ Brief. The work is for Launceston Town Council and concerns the Launceston–Bodmin corridor in Cornwall.

The procurement reached tender: the council invited expressions of interest from suitably experienced consultants through a two-stage restricted shortlisting process, with selected suppliers to be invited to submit a full tender. It is described as a below-threshold open competition. Expressions of interest were to be submitted by 9 October 2026 at 23:59, with enquiries closing on 2 October 2026 at 23:59. Submissions were required by post rather than electronically. The contract period is 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimated value is £50,000 excluding VAT, or £60,000 including VAT. Participation is reserved for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Assessment covers relevant experience, strategic understanding, lead consultant experience, methodology and output, availability, and the business questionnaire.

This opportunity suits a rail and transport consultancy able to lead a technically credible feasibility study for a potential passenger and freight railway. Relevant capability includes designing railway route alignments and profiles, evaluating transport corridors strategically, and comparing alternative options through structured optioneering. Applicants need to show similar studies, identify a lead consultant and provide a brief résumé, explain their proposed methodology and use of IT and artificial intelligence, and outline the expected output and presentation. Experience preparing Strategic Outline Business Cases for railway projects is preferred, as is experience working with local government. Suppliers must demonstrate capacity to complete the study by 31 March 2027. The requirement is specifically suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall

Notice Description

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Launceston Town Council, has secured grant funding from Cornwall Council, and is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced and qualified consultants to undertake a study into the technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, as part of a long-term strategic review of rail transport in Cornwall. The council is electing to use a 'restricted' method for shortlisting suitable consultants who can demonstrate appropriate experience of outline strategic planning in the rail sector. This two-stage process allows suppliers to express an interest by going through an initial pre-qualification stage. Only selected suppliers will be asked to complete the full tender document. Potential suppliers are encouraged to read the attached Consultants' Brief, which describes the study, its background and the required output.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088787-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60200000 - Railway transport services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
9 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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
Launceston Town 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
LAUNCESTON
Postcode
PL15 7AR
Postcode Area
Plymouth
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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Launceston South
Westminster Constituency
North Cornwall

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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