---
title: "NEX23/59 Legal Services for the Washington Metro Loop"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NEXUS"
published: "2024-10-03"
---

# NEX23/59 Legal Services for the Washington Metro Loop

Buyer: NEXUS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f

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## Summary

Nexus is actively engaging in the "NEX23/59 Legal Services for the Washington Metro Loop" project, situated within the urban railway and tramway sector. The procurement, now at the planning stage, aims to establish a zero-value, eight-year framework for qualified legal advisors to aid in planning, constructing, commissioning, and operating passenger services on the Washington Metro Loop (WML). This pivotal initiative is expected to progress from scheme development (2023–2026) through execution (2026–2030), and eventually to construction and asset handover post-2030. The framework encompasses various specialised areas, including land acquisition strategies, planning, rail regulatory matters, and environmental issues, crucial for the effective establishment of the WML. Interested parties must adhere to a restricted procurement method with submissions required by 14th February 2024.

This tender represents a substantial growth opportunity for experienced legal firms specialising in rail infrastructure projects. Businesses with a proven track record in rail operations, regulatory compliance, project governance, and environmental consulting will find this opportunity particularly aligned with their expertise. The project’s scope promises significant involvement with notable entities such as Network Rail and multiple government bodies, facilitating long-term business relationships and enhancing professional portfolios. Companies capable of providing comprehensive legal support throughout the extensive project timeline will gain a strategic foothold in the burgeoning North East infrastructure landscape.

## Notice

Nexus requires suitably qualified and experienced legal advisors, who will be appointed to a zero-value eight-year framework to support Nexus on a project to plan, construct, commission and operate passenger services on the Washington Metro Loop (WML). Subject to approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by Government in due course, the legal retainer is expected to encompass the advice required to (i) prepare the content of the OBC; (ii) implement the agreed strategies set out in the OBC; (iii) deliver the OBC strategies and, in turn, commence operations on the WML in years ahead. The exact scope of work during the framework term will be subject to the timely progress of the project. The legal advisors will be required to have strong levels of recent experience across rail infrastructure projects, including but not limited to experience in the following areas: * Strategies in connection with land acquisition and consents; * Planning matters including permitted development rights in a rail context; * Rail regulatory matters including licensing, consents and communications with regulatory bodies; * Rail operations; * Interfaces with Network Rail as a key delivery partner in the project, to include areas such as infrastructure management, track access, station leases and train operations; * Project governance and communications with project stakeholders including local authority and combined authority partners, DfT and MHCLG among others; * Project funding; * Procurement, with the potential need for additional rolling stock as part of the project deliverables; * Environmental and/or social issues connected with the project; * Rail construction and engineering contracts; and * Project insurances.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Nexus requires suitably qualified and experienced legal advisors, who will be appointed to a zero-value eight-year framework to support Nexus on a project to plan, construct, commission and operate passenger services on the Washington Metro Loop WML). Subject to approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by Government in due course, the legal retainer is expected to encompass the advice required to (i) prepare the content of the OBC; (ii) implement the agreed strategies set out in the OBC; (iii) deliver the OBC strategies and, in turn, commence operations on the WML in years ahead. The exact scope of work during the framework term will be subject to the timely progress of the project. The legal advisors will be required to have strong levels of recent experience across rail infrastructure projects, including but not limited to experience in the following areas: * Strategies in connection with land acquisition and consents; * Planning matters including permitted development rights in a rail context; * Rail regulatory matters including licensing, consents and communications with regulatory bodies; * Rail operations; * Interfaces with Network Rail as a key delivery partner in the project, to include areas such as infrastructure management, track access, station leases and train operations; * Project governance and communications with project stakeholders including local authority and combined authority partners, DfT and MHCLG among others; * Project funding; * Procurement, with the potential need for additional rolling stock as part of the project deliverables; * Environmental and/or social issues connected with the project; * Rail construction and engineering contracts; and * Project insurances. The WML Project The WML is currently funded by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) but the aspiration is it will become a flagship project of the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) following the election of a North East mayor in May 2024. The WML aims to enhance connectivity and accessibility across the South of Tyne and Wearside area through the restoration of former railway alignments including the Leamside Line. Closed to passenger services in 1964 before becoming entirely disused approximately 30 years later, the Leamside Line connects with the East Coast Mainline and Durham Coast Line at Tursdale and Pelaw respectively. However, it is important to note that the Washington Metro Loop would only require reinstatement of part of the Leamside Line, from Pelaw to north of Penshaw, and not its full opening. Any involvement of the Washington Metro Loop in the further reinstatement of the Leamside Line is likely to be limited to inclusion of passive provision for heavy rail traffic and management of project interfaces where necessary, and that is reflected in the scope of this framework let. The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the project states constructing the WML would bring economic, societal, and environmental benefits to the area by: * Creating nearly 8 million additional passenger journeys per year; * Giving Washington - the fourth largest town without access to a rail service - new connections across Tyne and Wear; * Reducing carbon emissions by nearly 87,000 tonnes per year; * Providing reliable and resilient travel; * Focusing on places in need of 'levelling up'; and * Increasing the feeling of 'pride in place' and putting locations 'back on the map'. The Washington Metro Loop will link existing stations at Pelaw and South Hylton via Washington. The OBC will also review options for further extensions enabling direct services to South Shields from Washington and Sunderland respectively. The project will require track works, new stations, additional services, signalling and traction power. Three station locations have been earmarked on the WML although the number and location are subject to change as the project progresses through development. Furthermore, demand modelling and timetabling constraints, amongst other factors considered in the planning of the project, will dictate how the service will operate. Timescales and funding Nexus has been asked by Transport North East (TNE), who provide strategy, planning and delivery services on behalf of the North East Joint Transport Committee (NEJTC), to assist with the development of the OBC given its record in delivering major infrastructure projects and programmes. As such Nexus will be the client for the framework services and is viewed as the obvious delivery agent for the project post-OBC. The OBC is anticipated to take the next two to three years to develop; funding has been provided to Nexus to commence the OBC but the ultimate progress of the project to OBC submission and delivery phases will remain subject to funding in due course. Indicative timescales and milestones 2023-2026 Scheme development to funding in principle, option selection, preparation of land, planning and consents strategy. 2026-2030 Execution of land, planning and consents strategy, procurement of design and build contractor/s, procurement of additional fleet, scheme preparation and consultation. From 2030 Construction and delivery, handover of assets.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031672-2024 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Oct 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Feb 2024 |
| Future notice date | 10 Jan 2024 |
| Award date | 10 Sep 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NEXUS |
| Locality | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE1 4AX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Electoral ward | Monument |
| Westminster constituency | Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLC2 Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79100000 - Legal services

## Release History

- 3 Oct 2024 at 10:47 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031672-2024
- 10 Jan 2024 at 15:26 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000833-2024
- 1 Dec 2023 at 10:58 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035450-2023

## Notice URLs

- https://www.nepo.org/
- https://www.nexus.org.uk/

## 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-h6vhtk-041e3f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-041e3f.json.