Essex County Council has selected Ringway Jacobs as its preferred bidder to form one of the largest integrated highways partnerships in the UK.

The partnership will deliver significant savings while providing an improved level of service for residents in a challenging climate of decreasing budgets.

The contract will commence on 1 April 2012 and will run for ten years, with an option to be extended for up to five years. The contract, which has an estimated value of over £1 billion, will ensure that a greater proportion of money is spent on delivering frontline services and improving customer satisfaction.

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Nine of the ten major highway contracts in Essex will expire on 31 March 2012, with the final contract terminating on 31 March 2013. All existing contracts to operate Essex’s highways will be replaced with one long-term partnership arrangement.

Ringway Jacobs will form a strategic partnership with the council, bringing with it a proven track record and an innovative approach to delivering highways services.

County Councillor Tracey Chapman, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: "Customer focus and improving core services are two of our top priorities, and the Highways Transformation Programme will help us to achieve this. By joining forces with a strategic partner we will be combining the experience and best practice of the public and private sectors to deliver greater value for money for Essex residents."

(CD)