Kier has secured a £225m repair and maintenance deal from Somerset Council, spanning eight years, with the option of a four-year extension
This agreement, commencing on April 1, 2024, will see Kier cover essential road and maintenance services across Somerset, such as road repairs, drainage, verge cutting, and winter services, including gritting and emergency response during bad weather conditions.
Kier will oversee and maintain the entire 4,172-mile road network in Somerset, performing routine repairs and ensuring the roads can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Somerset Council and Kier will collaborate on sustainability
The agreement also places a strong emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of these operations, aligning with the council’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
“This is the start of a long-term, collaborative partnership with Somerset Council. We look forward to delivering an efficient, high-quality customer service – with a strong environmental approach,” said James Birch, managing director of Kier Transportation’s Highways Operations & Maintenance.
“From April, the new service will unlock valuable career opportunities, including for graduates and apprentices, and we will be working with local supply chain partners to add value to the local economy – providing benefits to residents, road users and businesses in Somerset for years to come,” he continued.
Making maintenance more efficient
The contract is part of the council’s strategy to rethink its maintenance services. This overhaul aims to improve their efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and innovation. The council is also looking to make services more resilient in the face of climate change by reducing their carbon footprint.
“We’re really delighted to have Kier Transportation as our new partner maintaining our network – they met all our key criteria and have some exciting proposals about taking the service further in terms of carbon reduction, efficiency and maximising social value for our communities,” commented Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital.
“This is a major refresh of our network maintenance services, something we’d not seen for 27 years, so we are committed to building resilience to climate change, ensuring a safe, serviceable and sustainable network that is fit for purpose for all users and supports the growth of the local economy,” concluded Rigby.
