Kier Transportation has been selected by Somerset Council to deliver core maintenance across its road network.

The £225 million agreement covers key maintenance works – including road repairs, drainage, verge cutting and winter service, such as gritting and other emergency functions in adverse weather.

Somerset has a 4,172-mile road network and the current contract with Milestone Infrastructure comes to an end at the end of March 2024. Since 2021 the Council has been engaged in a tendering process involving suppliers from across the UK.

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In a change to the way it delivers services, the Council has divided up the existing contract into four separate contracts covering different areas of service delivery.

The aim is to increase efficiency, cost effectiveness and innovation whilst being more resilient to climate change with a reduced carbon output.

Kier Transportation put in a successful bid for the largest contract covering term maintenance. It will deliver services from 1 April 2024.

Bids were tested across a range of criteria including value for money, carbon reduction and bidders’ commitment to social value across the county.

Somerset Council's Executive committee approved the award of the contract earlier this month.

Many of the staff currently operating under Milestone Infrastructure will be transferring their employment to the new contractor, ensuring the Council holds on to valuable experience and expertise.