---
title: "Early Works for the Lower Thames Crossing - North Portal and Tunnelling Spoil Disposal Services"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HIGHWAYS ENGLAND"
published: "2021-09-16"
---

# Early Works for the Lower Thames Crossing - North Portal and Tunnelling Spoil Disposal Services

Buyer: HIGHWAYS ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed

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## Summary

The public procurement process involves Highways England as the buyer, seeking to award a contract for the "Early Works for the Lower Thames Crossing - North Portal and Tunnelling Spoil Disposal Services." This initiative falls under the works category, specifically tunnelling activities, with an estimated value of approximately £572,000, forecasted to reach around £1 million once all re-measurable items are accounted for. The contract is scheduled to start on 14th July 2021 and conclude by 30th June 2023, with the procurement method classified as a limited negotiated procedure without prior publication. The tender was closed on 13th March 2020.

This opportunity presents significant potential for businesses specialising in tunnelling and associated disposal services. Companies with expertise in civil engineering, especially those capable of complying with stringent environmental regulations, would be particularly well-suited to engage in this competitive market. As the contract has been awarded directly to Ingrebourne Valley Limited, exploring partnerships or preparation for future contracts in the Lower Thames Crossing project could yield fruitful business growth for SMEs in this sector.

## Notice

The Lower Thames Crossing project comprises of two bored tunnels beneath the River Thames with interconnecting link roads to the M25, A13 and A2. At 16 metres in diameter, the tunnels will be some of the largest bored tunnels in the world. The crossing will feature three lanes in both directions with a maximum speed limit of 70mph. At circa 2.4 miles each the tunnels will be the longest in the country. The tunnel's north portal site (the "North Portal") will be located on the north shore of the Thames east of the old Tilbury B Power station site and south of the Tilbury loop railway line. The north Portal structure and its approach ramp is to be constructed within a sizeable excavation. Approach roads to the North Portal construction continue at ground level north towards the proposed viaduct over the Tilbury loop railway line. Highways England tested the market for interest by way of a PIN (2020/S 027-063332) ("PIN") and there was limited market interest and limited response rates to the PIN. All interested parties were invited to discuss their capabilities to provide the services described within this opportunity in a manner that is likely to be compliant with the proposed constraints of the Development Consent Order ("DCO") under a non-disclosure agreement. This process identified only one interested supplier who was able to demonstrate their capabilities and relevant skill and experience in performing the required services in a manner that was compliant with the likely obligations of the DCO. Highways England has therefore concluded that Ingrebourne Valley Limited ("IVL") are the only suitable supplier for receiving spoil arising from the North Portal and tunnels excavation and its subsequent disposal, and Highways England intend to award a contract to IVL for these services under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Subsequently, a VEAT notice was issued (23/04/2021) informing the market of the Authorities intention to award directly to IVL the spoil disposal services (including any necessary early works the prepare the site for receipt of spoil prior to the DCO being granted). There were no challenges raised during the standstill period. This contract award notice is in relation to the first of two contracts which together will cover the scope of the PIN. This notice relates to an award of a contract relating to an enabling works contract to allow site preparation necessary to prepare the site and to carry out the spoil disposal services to take place prior to the DCO being granted (this contract award (initial contract value of PS572k with re-measurable items giving an outturn forecast of circa PS1m). The second agreement relating to spoil disposal services shall be subject to a separate notice. Additional information: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018829-2021?

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ccf051e0-32b3-4dde-acc6-b426a7a0bda0 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Sep 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Mar 2020 |
| Future notice date | 13 Mar 2020 |
| Award date | 13 Jul 2021 |
| Contract period | 13 Jul 2021 - 30 Jun 2023 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £571,582 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £571,582 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HIGHWAYS ENGLAND |
| Locality | BEDFORD |
| Post town | Milton Keynes |
| Postcode | MK41 7LW |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLH24 Bedford |
| Local authority | Bedford |
| Electoral ward | Harpur |
| Westminster constituency | Bedford |
| Delivery location | TLI London, TLJ South East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | INGREBOURNE VALLEY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45221247 - Tunnelling works

## Release History

- 16 Sep 2021 at 15:11 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ccf051e0-32b3-4dde-acc6-b426a7a0bda0
- 13 Feb 2020 at 11:28 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6e082eb9-2fea-4db2-a26e-0784959d1d6c

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ccf051e0-32b3-4dde-acc6-b426a7a0bda0
  16th September 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6e082eb9-2fea-4db2-a26e-0784959d1d6c
  13th February 2020 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:063332-2020:TEXT:EN:HTML
  Lower Thames Crossing - Tunnelling and Associated Works Activities
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018829-2021?
  Link to Find a Tender Service award notice

## Notice URLs

- http://www.highwaysengland.gov.uk
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018829-2021

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c78489d4-9da0-4766-b10c-b9ffa0d0e2ed.json.