Kier
The contract to manage highways in Birmingham has been extended by six months. Credit: David Mark / Pixabay.

Birmingham Highways (BHL) has extended Kier Highways’ interim contract to manage the city’s motorways by six months.

Last April, Kier took over the responsibility of managing the city’s roads and pavements from Amey, which withdrew from the contract following a failed private finance initiative (PFI) deal.

The interim contract, which was due to expire in June, has been extended until 30 December.

BHL CEO Natasha Rouse said: “BHL is very pleased to be able to extend the Interim Services Contract with Kier.

“Our teams have built a truly constructive relationship, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Kier in improving Birmingham’s transport network.”

Since the start of the contract, Kier has repaired 288,533m² of carriageways and almost 82,476m² of footways.

The company said that the team had also carried out management activities, which involved inspecting 70,792km of roads and installing 1,387 new LED streetlights.

Works are said to be already underway to procure surveys, identify programmes of work and develop a plan to deliver services during the contract extension period.

The plan includes the continuation of street lighting replacement and surfacing works as well as capital investment.

Kier group highways managing director Joe Incutti said: “We are thrilled that we have been awarded this extension, and it is testament to the contract team’s hard work and expertise in delivering highways services for local authority roads.

“We look forward to continuing to provide safe and reliable highway services to communities across Birmingham.”