National Highways has unveiled plans for a massive £8 billion contract to maintain and operate England's Strategic Road Network, marking one of the largest infrastructure procurement exercises in recent years.

The Maintenance and Response 2 (M&R2) contract will cover more than 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that form the backbone of the nation's transport system. Set to run for eight years from March 2028, with a possible one-year extension, the contract could be worth up to £9.6 billion including VAT.

The procurement seeks contractors capable of delivering comprehensive services across six key areas: cyclic maintenance, reactive maintenance, incident response, severe weather operations, roadside technology management, and asset renewal works.

"The Strategic Road Network is one of the biggest and most important pieces of infrastructure in the country," National Highways stated in its procurement notice. The network serves as the core of England's national transport system, handling millions of journeys daily.

The contract structure may be divided into two tranches with multiple lots, though specific details will be determined following market engagement activities. This approach aims to ensure the procurement attracts suitable contractors whilst maintaining operational efficiency across the vast network.

The scale of the contract reflects the critical importance of maintaining England's strategic roads, which support economic growth, connect communities, and facilitate the movement of goods and people across the country. The eight-year duration provides contractors with long-term certainty whilst ensuring National Highways can maintain consistent service standards.

Further details are available in National Highways' Information Memorandum, with formal tender documentation expected to follow market engagement activities.