Highways England (HE) has awarded Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) a place on its Specialist Professional and Technical Services (SPaTS) framework.

SPaTS was introduced as a replacement of the T-TEAR, SPSF and PSF procurement frameworks to better support the £15bn of capital investment in HE’s Roads Improvement Strategy, that was announced in December 2014.

As per the framework, TRL will be responsible for providing support and assistance to HE, the Department for Transport and other public sector bodies in research, innovation, road and transport related specialist technical services.

The framework will continue for the next four years and will provide HE a medium to procure technical, commercial and specialist services.

"We have brought together a comprehensive supply chain and look forward to helping Highways England continue to drive further transformation in the road network."

TRL will be the prime contractor on both Lot 1 (engineering advice, research and innovation), and Lot 6 (post implementation evaluation of schemes, projects, policies and programmes), with support from a specialist supply chain.

TRL CEO Rob Wallis said: “TRL has a long history of providing advice to Highways England, working closely and strategically to deliver tangible benefits to both the agency and its customers.

“SPaTS builds on this relationship and is an example of TRL’s continued influence in future transport solutions in the UK and internationally.

“We have brought together a comprehensive supply chain and look forward to helping Highways England continue to drive further transformation in the road network.”