Smart motorways procurement plan
On 1 February 2018, ICE announced their involvement in helping Highways England explain how its proposed new commercial procurement model for smart motorways could work.
Highways England is developing a new procurement model to deliver the Smart Motorways Programme (SMP). This falls under the wider Routes to Market programme for procurement.
Working with the Department for Transport, Highways England operates, maintains and improves motorways and major A-roads. Its work supports economic growth by connecting people and businesses across England while making the network safer for those using and working on them.
The new SMP procurement model proposes new ways of working between the agency and its supply chain, drawing on an incentive-driven commercial model. The aim is to secure a sustainable supply chain by developing close, more collaborative and longer lasting relationships with suppliers – helping to deliver 'whole-life' value to their contracts.
Highways England is running workshops, information sessions about the new procurement model and asking for feedback.
ICE, alongside the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), is working with the agency to coordinate workshops examining the new procurement models in further detail.
To register your interest in participating in the engagement exercise, please send an email to highwaysengland.co.uk RTMYourQuestions@highwaysengland.co.uk with the following information by 5pm on 8 February 2018 (registrations of interest cannot be received after this date):
- Organisation name, website and key contact details.
- Organisation size/turnover.
- Industry/sector specialism.
- Areas of experience/expertise.
Please note that Highways England will supply further information about the proposed model, as well as information on the different engagement methods, by mid-February 2018 to those who have registered an interest.
This article was originally published here on 1 Feb 2018 by ICE. It was written by Simon Barney.
--The Institution of Civil Engineers
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Articles by ICE on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Digital Roads 2025.
- Highways England.
- How to connect unconnected vehicles.
- Rapid Engineering Model REM.
- Road traffic management.
- Smart construction.
- Smart motorway.
- Smart technology.
- Types of road and street.
- Vision and validate: a third way in designing the roads of the future.
- What are smart motorways and how do they work?
Featured articles and news
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.