National Highways Snow Blower Replacement

National Highways designs, builds, operates and maintains England's motorways and major A-roads, known as the strategic road network (SRN). The SRN (the motorways and major A roads in England) comprises over 4,000 miles of road and includes various structures such as bridges, tunnels, drainage systems and technology assets including variable message signs and cabling. National Highways owns and operates a fleet of 23 Specialist Rolba R400 and R1000 Snow Blowers. These are positioned around the Strategic Road Network (SRN), providing a means to remove snow from the carriageway in the worst winter conditions. Purchased in the early to mid-1980's the current snow blower fleet is aging which influences performance, servicing costs, ability to reliably access spare parts and has an impact on the Environment. These machines do not meet the current standards in terms of safety and ergonomics requirements. Therefore, National Highways is keen to review the current snow blower fleet and identify options for its renewal. In recent years we have changed our approach to the management of our network through the implementation of Asset Delivery, which may create opportunities to adapt to ever changing environmental and service delivery requirements. Through recent evaluation we have identified that a specialist dedicated snow blowing vehicle may not be the ideal solution for all applications, and that a combination of dedicated vehicles and vehicles fitted with a snow blowing attachment and capable of being used for other functions both winter (such as snowploughing potentially utilising spare ploughs) or non-winter related multi-purpose functions, may meet our needs more flexibly and effectively. Ideally, these vehicles should be able to transport themselves on the Strategic Road Network (including motorways), although acknowledge that this may not always be possible. Vehicles must comply with UK Legislation and best practice guidance. Our aspiration is for the snow blowing capability, whether provided by a dedicated vehicle or by an attachment, to meet or exceed the snow blowing performance standards of the R400 and R1000 vehicles currently used. There have been many technological advancements since the snow blower fleet was procured in the 1980's. The range of solutions has increased, and a wide variety of multi-purpose vehicles and assortment of attachments have come to market. Therefore, we would like to engage with suppliers to investigate the market options. If you can offer a compliant product and wish to discuss further, please contact: [email protected] by Friday 22 October 2021 and we will allocate you an appointment time and date. The meetings will take place in Birmingham on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October 2021.

Please see additional information within the Attachment Area of this notice.

Additional information: The meetings will take place in Birmingham on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October 2021 at: National Highways Perry Barr Depot Thornbridge Avenue Perry Barr Birmingham West Midlands B42 2AG

Please Note: Access off Thornbridge Avenue is under the motorway (ACCESS IS NOT ALLOWED DIRECT FROM THE MOTORWAY FOR NON-OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES, please see attachment below).

Gain access through the large orange gate by calling the buzzer and then turn right. Follow the road round as it bends to the left and then the depot main gate is on the right.