Highways maintenance in Hampshire has a new face from today (1 May) with Amey taking over as the County Council's term highways contractor.
In a deal worth £35 million per year for the next seven years, and extendable to a decade subject to performance, Amey will be responsible for all aspects of road and footway maintenance in Hampshire - more than 5,000 miles of it.
Amey won the contract against stiff competition from five other companies. A key element of the new contract will be closer working with local communities, and a greater emphasis on the customer experience.
The County Council's Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Mel Kendal, said: "Highways maintenance is one of our priorities, and residents tell us it's one of theirs too. Just about all of us use roads and footways daily, maintaining them and getting repairs right first time will be a cornerstone of our relationship.
"Amey is hugely experienced in contracts like this, and we'll be tapping into its expertise to make sure that we get the best possible value for council taxpayers. I look forward to a long and productive partnership, and welcome them as part of our team."
Amey's Service Director for Local Government, heading up the project for the County Council contract, Kunle Kolaru, said: "Effective road and footway maintenance can have a significant positive impact on the local community, improving journeys for residents and businesses alike. Amey's experience shows that regular, two-way engagement with the local community is key, and as such, will be an important element of the service Amey will provide to Hampshire. The County Council's commitment to a collaborative approach means that this is a contract Amey is particularly pleased to have been awarded."
Amey will form part of an alliance of all highways and transport service providers working with the County Council, aimed at improving the entire highway service for everyone in Hampshire thanks to closer working and integration of services.
The term highways contract covers routine and planned maintenance of Hampshire's highway network outside Portsmouth and Southampton, excluding the motorways and trunk roads which are maintained by the national Highways Agency.