Highways England (HE) has awarded four new style contracts worth over £300m in order to improve journeys for road users in Cumbria, North Lancashire, and the North East of England.

The two maintenance and response contracts, expected to be worth up to £262m, have been awarded to Kier Highways and CH2M Costain Joint Venture as part of HE’s new delivery arrangements.

The contract has been awarded for a time period of 15 years.

"The asset delivery contracts will see HE managing both routine maintenance as well as the delivery of capital renewal and improvement schemes."
 
As part of the contract, which will commence from 01 April next year will see Kier Highways operating in Cumbria and CH2M Costain Joint Venture operating in the North East, and will be responsible for routine highway maintenance services, repairs to defects, emergency incident response and severe weather services on the HE road network.

The asset delivery contracts will see HE managing both routine maintenance as well as the delivery of capital renewal and improvement schemes.

Highways England commercial and procurement executive director David Poole said: “We are delighted to welcome Kier Highways Limited, CH2M Costain Joint Venture and Amey OW Limited to our Asset Delivery supply chain community in Cumbria and North Lancashire and the North East.

“The awarding of these four new contracts builds on the new way of working already taking place in the East Midlands and is a real change in the way we have previously operated the network.

“These contracts demonstrate our commitment to increasing capability and understanding within Highways England and bringing Highways England closer to our customers.

“Collaboration with our supply chain is key to our new way of working and we are looking forward to establishing a successful, long-term relationship with the appointed contractors.”

Additionally, two new five-year design services contracts, with an expected value of over £38m have been awarded to Amey OW both the Cumbria and North Lancashire, and the North East areas.

As part of the deal, Amey OW will be responsible for preparation of technical designs and undertaking supporting work for capital projects from an initial scheme feasibility phase through to the as-built phase, and will also run from 01 April next year.