CT4692 Programme Support Works Framework Preliminary Market Engagement

The East West Railway Company (EWR Co.) is responsible for the delivery of East West Rail (EWR), a rail project providing infrastructure to enable services to link Oxford to Cambridge.

The scale of the EWR project and the complexity of developing new line and structures (stations & depots) with existing track means it is critical to ensure we have the best suppliers on board. To achieve this we recognise the importance of building the right commercial model to attract strong competition and incentivise collaborative working across the supply chain.

This Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice is to inform the market that EWR Co. intends to commence market engagement to support the development of the procurement strategy for the delivery of a Programme Support Works Framework, with multiple lots and multiple suppliers. The framework is intended to accelerate readiness and de-risk the programme, maximising land access opportunity, provide a continuity of existing services via expiring contracts, provide access to SME/Tier 2s, deliver social value and innovation and provide a learning platform for future works and opportunities.

The anticipated lot structure is:

1: Archaeology and Heritage

2: Ground Investigations and Monitoring

3: Environmental and Ecological Works

4: Principal Contractor/Co-ordination/Minor Civils

5: Utilities and Services

The market engagement will commence with an initial virtual briefing session setting out EWR Co's proposed procurement strategy on 6th November 2025 at 12:30 - 13:30pm. This will be followed by a questionnaire inviting potential suppliers to provide their feedback on our proposed approach.