Highways England has awarded Amey a £300M maintenance and response contract for Area 7 as part of its new ‘asset led’ delivery arrangement in the East Midlands.

 

The strategic road network operator is making a step change from its previous way of working by bringing key functions in house to take direct control of the East Midlands network.

 

Amey’s contract begins in July and will run for up to 15 years. It will see the contractor deliver routine highway maintenance services, repairs to defects, emergency incident response and severe weather services on strategic roads.

 

A senior highways management commentator said: “This new arrangement should give Highways England a level of control that will allow it to coordinate its suppliers and complete works on a ‘fence to fence’ basis.

 

“This will provide strong customer benefits, if managed well.” The commentator noted that coordination of suppliers could eliminate the need for repeat visits to a site for piecemeal works. “It is now up to Highways England’s management to ensure they work with suppliers to ensure success.”

 

The maintenance and response contract is the second to be awarded under the new set of arrangements in Area 7. A new five year design services contract, valued at over £25M, was awarded to Kier Highways earlier in the month.

 

Highways England director for commercial and procurement David Poole said: “We are delighted to welcome Amey and Kier Highways to our East Midlands supply chain community.

 

“The awarding of these two new contracts represents a significant milestone for Highways England, marking a real change in the way we have previously managed contracts.

 

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

 

Amey chief executive officer Andy Milner said he is extremely proud of the work the company currently carries out for Highways England and is very pleased to have the opportunity to continue this in Area 7.

 

Further contracts will be awarded for specialist goods and services in the coming months and suppliers will be appointed to a new framework for delivering construction works in late April. All contracts will begin on 1 July once the current Managing Agent Contract with Aone+ has expired.

 

(Photo: Highways England)