Highways Surface Dressing Framework
Framework Description
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is procuring a single-lot framework for highways surface dressing, a preventive treatment that seals the road surface and restores skid resistance before full resurfacing is needed. The opportunity is listed on Find a Tender under notice 030979-2026. The framework is planned to run to 30 September 2028, with an option to extend it to 30 September 2030.
Context & Use Case
The Council's highways team uses surface dressing as part of its annual road maintenance programme, treating roads that are deteriorating but still structurally sound. Work is seasonal and tends to be delivered in planned programmes over the summer months. A framework gives the Council a pre-qualified supply chain it can instruct each year without re-tendering.
Scope of Services
Surface dressing of the road network Surface preparation and site clearance Aggregate spreading and rolling Line marking and traffic management Quality control and testing of completed works Site reinstatement and waste removal
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suits surface dressing contractors with their own sprayers and chip spreaders, trained crews and experience of council programmes. The framework is still being procured, so suppliers gain a place by bidding in the tender rather than applying to join later. Be ready to evidence plant, quality control and safe traffic management.
Buyer Benefits
Surface dressing extends the life of roads at a fraction of the cost of resurfacing, so the Council needs a contractor who can deliver its programme reliably in the short summer window. Buyers will look for crews and plant availability, good workmanship that avoids loose chippings and complaints, and clear communication with residents about closures.
Next Steps
Read notice 030979-2026 on Find a Tender and check whether the tender documents are already available or due shortly. Prepare evidence of surface dressing programmes delivered for highway authorities, your plant list, quality control records and traffic management approach. Plan your pricing around a framework that will run to 30 September 2028, or 30 September 2030 if extended.
How Athena Can Help
Surface dressing tenders are usually short on words but heavy on method and price. Athena helps contractors plan and write the bid, setting out programme capacity, quality control and weather contingency in a way that scores, and checking every document for compliance before it goes in.
We also give early bid/no-bid advice on whether this single-lot opportunity suits your resources. If you want more council highways work, our registration support for frameworks identifies similar opportunities across the North West.
