CP2821-26 Study of Carbon Sequestration and Soil Health Impacts within Highway Earthworks
The contract covers a research and evaluation study into carbon sequestration and soil health impacts arising from highway earthworks for Devon County Council, the local authority responsible for transport and other public services in Devon. The study supports the A382 Link Road Development near Newton Abbot and will investigate whether using biochar, enhanced mineral weathering and mycorrhizal fungi in conventional earthworks can improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration and support longer-term carbon storage in highway verges and associated landscape areas. Expected outputs include assessment of construction impacts on soil carbon levels and evidence on the effectiveness of these carbon-reduction measures within highway construction activities, contributing to the scheme’s carbon-negative aspirations under the ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads programme. The available budget is £150,000 to £170,000, with an estimated contract value of £170,000; the contract duration is not stated. Delivery is in the UKK43 region of the United Kingdom, centred on the A382 Link Road near Newton Abbot, and bidders must demonstrate the research capability required to conduct this specialist carbon sequestration and soil health study.
Buyer: Devon County Council. Source: Find a Tender. Updated 6 Oct 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £170k
- Bids close: 30 Oct 2026
- Location: Devon CC
- Procedure: Below threshold - open competition
- Contract period: 20 Nov 2026 to 1 Jun 2029
- Category: Research services (73110000)
From the official notice
Devon County Council (DCC), is delivering the A382 Link Road Development near Newton Abbot, Devon. In addition to the main scheme, additional funding has been made available through the ADEPT Live Labs 2: Decarbonising Local Roads programme to fund carbon reduction measures on the project. The scheme seeks not only to improve highway safety, network resilience and traffic flow, but also to demonstrate innovative approaches to reducing and removing carbon emissions from highway construction activities. As part of the project's carbon-negative aspirations, DCC wishes to investigate the impact of construction activities on soil carbon levels and the potential benefits of incorporating biochar, enhanced mineral weathering and mycorrhizal fungi into traditional highway earthworks operations. Emerging research suggests that these products may increase carbon sequestration rates, improve soil health and increase long-term carbon storage within highway verges and associated landscape areas. The budget available is between £150,000 and £170,000 further details on the cost strategy are given in the documentation.
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 30 Oct 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £170k.
Who can apply?
The buyer has marked it as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
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