Kier Highways has mobilised its two highways services contracts with new clients, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) and West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

Approximately 300 employees will operate the two contracts on behalf of the unitary authorities for seven years. The contracts have a combined value of £420m, with the option to extend for up to 14 years.

Residents will see an increased presence on the roads this week as both councils launch their contracts with individual plans. The plans include works such as pothole repairs, vegetation clearance, sign cleaning, road marking renewal, drainage investigation, footpath clearance and defect repairs.

James Birch, maintenance managing director, Kier Highways, said: "After months of preparation, we are delighted to start our works with WNC and NNC on a high. It brings me great pride to see our newly-branded PPE and livery out on the roads and in the community – to deliver a positive impact from day one.

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"We are committed to supporting the local economy by prioritising local suppliers and SMEs, and providing exciting career opportunities. We are also closely collaborating with both councils to provide sustainable solutions that reach our shared ambition of net-zero by 2030. We look forward to building Kier’s presence in the region further, and to demonstrate our abilities as a trusted partner of choice within the sector."

Cllr Graham Lawman, North Northamptonshire Council Executive member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said: "This contract is an exciting new opportunity and we’re looking forward to working with Kier and seeing continued improvements made to the road, footpath and cycling network over the coming months and years.

"The bid from Kier was comfortably the best on quality and price and we must acknowledge the work and attitude to collaboration with us to get the contract over the threshold.

"The contract is very much designed towards modernising the service, including meeting our carbon neutrality targets and achieving value for money for residents through quality performance. A fit-for-purpose highways contract is essential in the delivery of so many of our services and vital to every single resident that uses the network, whether for work, leisure or day-to-day journeys."

To mark the start of the new contracts, delegates from both NNC and WNC attended Kier’s formal induction briefing to its employees and welcomed colleagues to the new contracts.