Highways maintenance providers have been urged to work smarter to achieve financial savings of 30% or more within the next six years.

A new 2020 vision was launched by the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP) last Thursday. It says that achieving greater efficiencies will allow local highway authorities to plan and deliver improved roads more affordably. HMEP currently works with over three quarters of local highway authorities and believes there are still opportunities for significant savings to be realised.

HTMA chairman Tony Gates said: “The highways sector is ripe for transformational change, but we will only get there with clear ambitious targets and truly collaborative working.”

A roadshow of seven events across England will take place from January to explain more about the efficient funding and delivery of highways management.

Local authorities said to already be reaping the benefits of increased efficiencies include Walsall Council which has improved pothole prevention and saved more than £400,000 a year.

A further example of a local authority working towards efficiency savings is Worcestershire County Council, which signed a new deal with incumbent highways maintenance contractor Ringway on Monday worth up to £30M a year. The two parties are now working to identify savings of £775,000 in the first year alone. Use of recycled road materials and low carbon asphalts will be encouraged.

The new arrangement begins in April and could run for over 12 years, subject to good performance. Highways maintenance activities included in the contract include pothole repair, resurfacing, road markings, winter gritting and drainage.

Worcestershire County Councillor John Smith said: “The way the contract has been set up gives incentives that will reward efficient working. Importantly this will result in significant savings for the taxpayer without a drop in the standards they expect when it comes to our highways."

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