---
title: "Technical feasibility of constructing a new railway between Launceston and Bodmin, Cornwall"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Launceston Town Council"
published: "2026-09-18"
---

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

Buyer: Launceston Town Council  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088787-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 12 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £50,000 |
| Lots value | £50,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Launceston Town Council |
| Locality | LAUNCESTON |
| Postcode area | Plymouth |
| Postcode | PL15 7AR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly |
| ITL 3 | TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly |
| Local authority | Cornwall |
| Electoral ward | Launceston South |
| Westminster constituency | North Cornwall |
| 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) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60200000 - Railway transport services

## Release History

- 18 Sep 2026 at 15:12 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088787-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088787-2026
  18th September 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-22688
  Prospective tenderers are recommended to read this this document as it contextualises the project, as well as identifying technical details and assumptions.
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-22690
  Word Version - This is the submission document for Expressions of Interest. It gives details how the EOI should be submitted and how submissions will be assessed. It contains a project timeline and the business and legal questionnaire.
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-22691
  PDF Version - This is the submission document for Expressions of Interest. It gives details how the EOI should be submitted and how submissions will be assessed. It contains a project timeline and the business and legal questionnaire.

## Notice URLs

- 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-0775a6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0775a6.json.