Delivering highways maintenance until 2030

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet will consider a new ‘Technical Partner Term Maintenance Contract’ for the delivery of Highways services from April 2023 until 2030.

The Council maintains approximately 2,300 kilometres of public highway together with a significant array of associated assets. The current contract has been in place since 2012 and is now due for renewal in 2023.

Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member Environment, Highways & Strategic Transport said: “We want to commit to an ambitious and successful long-term partnership arrangement that provides the best possible services for our residents.

“Since the tender process for a Term Maintenance Contractor was started last year, there have been a number of unprecedented changes to the circumstances this is being delivered in. These have included energy price rises, increasing issues with global supply chains as well as material and staff shortages in key skill areas. 

“Cabinet will consider the opportunity to put the Highways contract out to tender in May 2022. This is one of the largest contracts procured by the Council, having an annual value of around £19m. Highway maintenance and improvement funding is primarily received through central government together with the Council’s own revenue and capital allocations.”

The Council works with a number of industry groups including, Local Council Roads Innovation Group, Midlands Highway Alliance, Asphalt Industry Alliance and Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee, to benchmark and seek out innovation to deliver improved services. The Council will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of objective including social value, value for money, efficiency, innovation and climate emergency.

The new contract presents further opportunities to address the climate emergency including innovation in highway materials and technology using recycled materials in the asphalt or low temperature asphalt to reduce the CO2. Greening the fleet/plant when purchasing or hiring new equipment and maximising recycling and reuse of materials.

The recommendations change the approved delivery model made by Cabinet in February 2021. Due to the significant changes in market conditions since this decision was made there were challenges in securing an appropriate new Highways Delivery Partner.