Integrated Transport Digital Twin
What are the budget, ownership, running costs, data safeguards and transport benefits?
CURRENT POSITION
The Preliminary Market Engagement brief has been received and reviewed. WATCH requested presentation slides and a session summary on 2 September, for release after the 4 September supplier session.
NEXT ACTION
Await the already-requested session materials, recheck the 10 September Board papers and resolve the timetable discrepancy before making further public claims. This remains a funding-bid and pre-procurement exercise.
RESPONSIBLE BODY
Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority / East Sussex Procurement Hub
REFERENCE / TIMING
SBSA001 2026006
Supplier session: 4 September, 15:00–16:00. Timetable conflict: official DfT applicant guidance says applications were due by 16:00 on 1 September 2026, while the PME brief records a planned 22 September submission. This discrepancy is unresolved and is not evidence of wrongdoing.
Status checked: 4 September 2026. Research questions and source discrepancies are not findings of wrongdoing. Research questions are not findings of wrongdoing.
What the brief proposes
A transport model for the coastal corridor from Emsworth to Rye, initially covering bus priority, roadwork coordination and the impacts of transport schemes. The initial scope excludes rail.
The brief says DfT will not fund ongoing operating costs beyond the 2026–2030 funding period. Future running costs and who would pay them remain questions for scrutiny.
The timetable refers to £30m funding and 4–6 local transport authorities, but does not clearly specify an allocation per authority. We have not established that Sussex would receive £30m.
Programme dates in the brief
- 10 September, 17:00: supplier comments close.
- 16 September, 17:00: planned SBSA clarifications.
- Bid-timetable discrepancy: the PME brief records 22 September, while official DfT applicant guidance states 1 September 2026 at 16:00. WATCH is seeking to resolve which event each date refers to.
- October–November: anticipated funding decision.
- If successful: project start December 2026–January 2027; tender early/spring 2027.
Public sources
- SBSA001 2026006 request and access reply — East Sussex Procurement Hub
- Public background source
- DfT Integrated Transport Digital Twin Fund applicant guidance — official guidance showing the 1 September 2026 application deadline