Dorset Council's Highways team have won the Best Partnership Award at the Highways Awards.

The award is for their collaboration with Heidelberg Materials (previously Hanson), with whom the Council have been working since 2009. Through this private/public sector partnership, the Highways team has privileged access to the latest ideas and technology so they can trial and introduce new ways of working.

Beginning in 2003, the Dorset Highways Strategic Partnership has brought not only several benefits to the Council and road users, but also innovation to the highways industry as this partnership is the first private/public partnership of its kind in the UK.

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Together, Dorset Council and Heidelberg Materials have worked according to the "One Team" ethos. They work to a pre-agreed set of behaviours and to the common goal of ensuring "a high quality, value for money service…at the disposal of Dorset Council and all our customers".

One of the reasons for the success of the partnership has been the appointment of a Heidelberg Materials Partnership Manager, who works within the Council’s offices and acts as the first point of contact for all activities. This has enabled effective communication and streamlined decision-making, leading to improved efficiency and reduced costs.

Close working allows both Heidelberg Materials and Dorset Council to share best practices and improve the overall quality of the work, as well as offering financial benefits back to the Council.