A single successful supplier will be appointed for the Area 7 design works, which will vary from £5m-£10m per year.

Highways England has decided to abandon asset support style contracts to replace the existing managing agent deal with a fresh set-up that will see control of maintenance brought in-house.

It will revert to a more traditional approach to highways management with the agency playing the central client role while separating routine maintenance from small new works and design packages.

The design services tender is the third to be released under these new arrangements, which come into operation from 1 April 2016, with design services commencing from 1 July.

Duties include preparing technical designs and undertaking supporting work for capital projects from an initial scheme feasibility phase through to the end of construction phase.

David Poole, director for commercial and procurement for Highways England, said: “The changes we are making in Area 7 really demonstrate Highways England’s commitment to delivering a different approach to maintenance and investment delivery over the next five years.

The tender can be viewed online.