UK Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Project Launches Contractor Consultation Worth Up to £40.5 Million

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 20, the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched a preliminary market consultation for contractors for the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Project, intending to separately select contractors for the memorial installation and a dedicated pedestrian bridge in St James's Park, London. The two projects are expected to have a combined contract value of £36.5 million to £40.5 million, mainly covering the demolition of the existing bridge, construction of the pedestrian bridge, landscape renovation, protection of historic buildings, and installation of memorial facilities. Formal tendering is planned to begin in January 2027.

The main works contract is estimated at £25 million to £27.5 million, with the scope of work including site preparation, demolition of the original bridge, construction of the new bridge's foundations and substructure, and renovation of internal park roads, footpaths, paving, and drainage facilities. The construction scope also includes the demolition and reconstruction of existing public toilets, implementation of planting works, and the dismantling, relocation, and restoration of certain Grade II listed building components. The contractor will also need to coordinate the on-site installation of the memorial sculpture and related artistic installations.

The dedicated pedestrian bridge project is divided into a separate procurement package, valued at £11.5 million to £13 million, with Foster + Partners participating in the design. The bridge features a custom stainless steel structure, glass balustrades, and integrated deck paving. The specialist contractor will undertake design review, 3D modeling, prototype manufacturing and testing, steel fabrication, transportation, lifting, and installation, and will coordinate with the main works contractor on foundation construction and bridge installation interfaces.

According to the preliminary procurement arrangements, both contracts will be implemented in phases, starting with a pre-construction services agreement to complete construction technical proposals, supply chain organization, and engineering pricing, before entering the formal construction contract stage. For the specialist bridge works, the pre-construction services contractor is planned to be confirmed in May 2027, with the manufacturing and installation contract signed in February 2028; for the main works, the pre-construction services agreement is planned to be signed in August 2027, with the main construction contract signed in May 2028.

The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport will hold a joint market consultation event on November 9, 2026, in Westminster, with feedback collection continuing until December 31. At this stage, the project's contract performance arrangements are expected to extend to December 2029, and the actual construction completion date will be determined in conjunction with subsequent tendering and construction organization plans.