--- title: "Development and Trial of Sustainable Weed Control Solutions for the Strategic Road Network" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED" published: "2026-08-05" --- # Development and Trial of Sustainable Weed Control Solutions for the Strategic Road Network Buyer: NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47.json) ## Summary National Highways Limited has initiated a procurement process titled "Development and Trial of Sustainable Weed Control Solutions for the Strategic Road Network." This public procurement process falls under the services category, specifically focusing on research laboratory services. The buying organisation is seeking scalable alternatives to glyphosate for controlling weeds along England’s strategic roads. Currently in the planning stage, the process involves a preliminary market engagement scheduled by 31st August 2026, with further communications anticipated by 5th October 2026. Located in Birmingham, National Highways serves as a central government public authority in the United Kingdom. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses with expertise in developing or deploying non-glyphosate weed control solutions. Companies conducting evidence-based trials, environmental impact assessments, or those experienced in safety-critical environments are encouraged to participate. Particularly suitable for SMEs or VCSEs, the tender aims to identify partners capable of contributing to technical decision-making and future procurement strategies, fostering innovation and growth in sustainable practices within the public sector infrastructure. ## Notice National Highways is a government-owned company and the appointed strategic highways authority and licence holder responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England's SRN; 4,300 miles of motorways and major A roads at the core of the national transport network. Use of glyphosate; known to be a probable carcinogen to humans, is a widely used chemical to control weeds in highway maintenance. Although approved for use in the UK, concerns regarding glyphosate's impact on biodiversity, and management of this health hazard to the general public and highway operatives are considerable. National Highways is seeking to engage the market to explore and trial credible, scalable alternatives to glyphosate for weed control on the Strategic Road Network (SRN), alongside existing local trials, with the aim of reducing exposure risks and improving environmental outcomes. This notice is issued as part of a Preliminary Market Engagement under the Procurement Act 2023. Participation does not constitute a commitment to procure or award any contract, nor does it provide any guarantee of involvement in future commercial opportunities. Information gathered will be used to support technical decision-making, standards development, and potential future procurement strategies. ### Planning Information Organisations with relevant capability and experience are invited to contribute information to support this market engagement. Interested parties are invited to provide experience in one or more of the following areas: • Development or deployment of non-glyphosate weed control solutions (chemical, mechanical, thermal, biological, or integrated approaches) • Evidence-based trials or pilots in operational environments • Environmental impact assessment, including biodiversity considerations • Working in safety-critical or public-facing environments • Any other relevant information Supplier questionnaire and optional technical discussions, focused on solution maturity, evidence of effectiveness, environmental impacts, and operational considerations. Initially, organisations are invited to complete the questionnaire found at the link below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/gkwYSEJvHY ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074144-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 5 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Oct 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NATIONAL HIGHWAYS LIMITED | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 6GA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Ladywood | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73111000 - Research laboratory services ## Release History - 5 Aug 2026 at 11:24 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074144-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074144-2026 5th August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/gkwYSEJvHY - https://nationalhighways.co.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-06dc47. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06dc47.json.