Somerset Council has announced that it has signed a new contract that marks ‘a new era’ in the county’s highway maintenance.
Coming into action on the 1st April, the contract is worth £225 million and will see the council working with a new supplier to ensure maintenance across the 4,172-mile road network. Covered by this is road repairs, drainage, verge cutting and servicing through the winter, as well as emergency functions for when the weather becomes difficult.
The contract was awarded after the new supplier was able to provide the council with better value for money, innovation and eco-friendly practices that will contribute to the council’s sustainability goals.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Digital, commented:
“This is a major refresh of our network maintenance services. We are committed to building in resilience to climate change, ensuring a safe, serviceable, and sustainable network that is fit for purpose for all users and supports the growth of the local economy.
“It’s really vital we have a service that is cost effective, as well as being flexible and agile, attracting the best people and embracing new technologies to enable innovation.”
Alongside the highways maintenance contract, the council has also entered into new contract that cover resurfacing, surface dressing, new assets, and lighting to ensure that the standard of roads across the county is kept up to standard, giving allowing communities to continue to be connected.
Image credit: iStock
