Description
In July 2009, Amey began working in partnership with the Highways Agency as the MAC (Managing Agent Contractor) contract in Area 9 across the West Midlands.
Amey is the sole provider delivering all design, consultancy, physical works, operational engineering, strategic inspections and maintenance. This integrated approach allows us to deliver all aspects of the contract as efficiently as possible.
Amey is responsible for managing and maintaining 1,500km of the West Midlands’ trunk roads and motorways including sections of the M40, M42, M5, M6, M50 and M54.
Amey’s responsibilities under the Area 9 contract include:
• Managing and maintaining 1,500 kilometres of strategic road network
• 1,600 structures
• Delivering routine and winter maintenance
• Incident management – operating a 24 hour manned control centre
• Designing and delivering minor renewals and larger improvement schemes
In addition, we are working collaboratively with the Highways Agency to support their ‘Safer roads, reliable journeys and informed travellers’ target.
Efficiencies and Innovations:
Amey has vast experience delivering complex highways schemes. By operating as a sole provider at Area 9, we can maximise efficiencies while maintaining the highest levels of service. For example, as part of the winter maintenance process we operate gritters to lay salt and prevent roads becoming slippery due to ice. We implemented a system which identified the quickest, easiest and fastest way to complete the gritting task. By maximising use of our fleet, we were able to return surplus gritters to the Highways Agency for use on other HA projects.
In 2009, the UK experienced the harshest Winter weather conditions for 30 years, which led to a big increase in demand for salt to grit roads and footpaths. Amey responded by constructing brand new barns to accommodate twice as much salt than conventional storage units. This will ensure roads continued to be gritted in the event of severe weather conditions.
Outcome
By streamlining a wide range of services, Amey is able to maximise efficiencies, transparency and accountability for the client. In addition, road users benefit from reliable journey times, safe roads and up-to-date travel information.