Vegetation Clearance Works - Lower Thames Crossing Kent Roads

Contracts Finder - Open Opportunities

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 2nd, 2026

Summary

UK Government Contracts Finder published a new subcontract opportunity for vegetation clearance works on the Lower Thames Crossing Kent Roads project. Skanska, on behalf of National Highways, is seeking a subcontractor to supply labour, plant, and equipment for vegetation clearance valued between £500,000 and £2,000,000. Bids close 23 April 2026, with works commencing 17 August 2026 through 2 November 2032.

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What changed

Skanska, as prime contractor for the Lower Thames Crossing (Kent Roads) project, published an open opportunity notice on Contracts Finder seeking a subcontractor for vegetation clearance works. The contract is valued between £500,000 and £2,000,000 over approximately six years (August 2026 to November 2032). The selected subcontractor must supply all labour, plant, and equipment, with operatives holding CSCS competency cards and Highway Passports, and demonstrated experience on major highway schemes.

Interested suppliers must submit an Expression of Interest by 23 April 2026 at 5pm via the provided form. The competitive procedure with negotiation requires pre-selection before tender submission and negotiation. Successful bidders must commit to project ambitions including low-carbon delivery with zero diesel on site, skills legacy through local workforce recruitment and apprenticeships, and STEM engagement. SMEs are eligible; VCSEs are not.

What to do next

Submit Expression of Interest Form by 23 April 2026 at 5pm
Ensure workforce possesses CSCS competency cards and Highway Passports
Demonstrate experience in major highway schemes in bid submission
Confirm commitment to low-carbon delivery and zero diesel on site requirements

Source document (simplified)

Published date: 2 April 2026

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.

Watch this notice Print this notice Closing: 23 April 2026, 5pm

Contract summary

Industry

Site-clearance work - 45111213

Location of contract

South East

Value of contract

£500,000 to £2,000,000

Procurement reference

Lower Thames Crossing - Kent Roads - Vegetation Clearance

Published date

2 April 2026

Closing date

23 April 2026

Closing time

5pm

Contract start date

17 August 2026

Contract end date

2 November 2032

Contract type

Works

Procedure type

Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)

What is a competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)? Anyone may ask to participate, but only those who are pre-selected will be invited to submit initial tenders and to negotiate.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Description

Skanska is looking to appoint a subcontractor to undertake vegetation clearance works for the Lower Thames Crossing (Kent Roads) project. The selected subcontractor will be required to supply all necessary labour, plant, and equipment to carry out the clearance and removal of vegetation.

These works form part of the initial phase of the main construction programme, known as uninterrupted construction activities. Although the majority of the work will take place off-line, certain sections will be located online within the central reservation of the A2; therefore, proven experience in major highway schemes is essential.

The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a new road to better connect Essex and Kent through a tunnel beneath the River Thames. Our purpose is to drive a change in how we deliver - connecting people to jobs, businesses to opportunities, leaving a skills legacy for the local community and championing biodiversity and low-carbon construction.

To support the project ambitions, we are committed to publishing opportunities on Contracts Finder to ensure full visibility for SMEs and local subcontractors. By doing so, we widen access to the Lower Thames Crossing supply chain, encourage participation from smaller and local businesses, and help unlock regional growth. This approach ensures that organisations of all sizes can compete fairly, strengthens local economies, and maximises the benefit of investment within the communities closest to the project.

Our ambition is to deliver the UK's greenest road, and to do the right thing for local communities and the environment. We can only achieve this with the support of our supply chain, and it is therefore critical that for any supplier to be successful in winning work on LTC, they must demonstrate commitments to supporting delivery of our ambitions:
• Supporting LTC to leave a skills legacy for the local community. This means recruiting a local workforce and upskilling the supply chain to enable meaningful progression into higher paid, higher skilled work.
• Delivering LTC with the lowest practicable carbon. This includes adoption of our "zero emissions" intent, eradication of diesel on site and promotion of alternative sustainable fuels.
• Helping to create successful opportunities by providing early careers roles, such as apprenticeships, and inspiring young people into construction through delivery of STEM engagement.

The operatives involved in the works shall be competent with relevant qualifications and competency cards (CSCS) and have a Highway Passport.