Kier preferred bidder on major UK roads contract

Birmingham’s road network includes the complex Spaghetti Junction interchange. Photo: Adobe Stock/cloudvisual

Birmingham Highways Ltd (BHL) said the contract, set to run for the next 15 months, is an interim measure, to include oversight of traffic operations in the city, as well as all necessary maintenance, inspections and winter servicing.

A 14-year full services contract is expected to be signed early next year, to commence on July 1. This will cover not only operations and maintenance, but also the improvement and renewal of the city’s highways network.

The city council said the scope of the new contract will extend to more than 2,500km of road and 5,000km of footways, as well as 846 structures, three tunnels, 94,000 street lighting columns, 76,000 highway trees and the city’s traffic control system.

Natasha Rouse, chief executive of BHL, said, “We look forward to working with Kier. The company has put together a robust offer that demonstrates its ability to provide a good quality of service and mobilise quickly and efficiently.

“We aim to achieve a seamless transition to our new provider while continuing to service the city’s highways network.”

‘Trusted supplier’

Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment at Birmingham City Council, said, “I am pleased that Kier has put a compelling and competitive bid to us to maintain the city’s highways.

“Its reputation as a leading national roads operator should give welcomed assurance to the people of Birmingham that we have put the safe and efficient servicing of our streets at the heart of this process.”

Joe Incutti, Kier acting group managing director for highways, said, “We are delighted to have been named preferred bidder for the Birmingham Highways contract and have a wealth of experience in successfully designing and maintaining local authority roads.

“We’re a trusted supplier and already operate in the midlands delivering maintenance to one of the most complex and busy highway networks in the UK, including Spaghetti Junction, which carries 60,000 vehicles each day.

“We are looking forward to working alongside Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Highways Ltd on this contract to keep roads in Birmingham safe and reliable.”