Kent County Council Launches £2bn Highways Maintenance Tender
Kent County Council has initiated the search for a contractor to manage its new highways maintenance contract, valued at £2 billion.
The contract is set to run for up to 21 years, ensuring long-term upkeep of Kent’s extensive road network, one of the largest in the country. The network spans approximately 8,750 km, including 990 km of A roads, 450 km of B roads, 1,880 km of C roads, and 5,430 km of unclassified roads.
The council’s current highways maintenance contract expires on 30 April 2026. To maintain a smooth transition, Kent County Council plans to finalise the new contract by November 2025, allowing enough time for implementation before the current agreement concludes.
At the selection stage, the council will shortlist four top-scoring candidates, who will then be invited for an introductory meeting and to submit an initial tender. Following this, three tenderers will be chosen to proceed to a more detailed phase, where they will engage in discussions and negotiations. This stage will also involve reviewing and marking up draft contracts, leases, and the scope of works.
The new contract is set to run for an initial 14-year term, with the option of a seven-year extension. It will cover a range of essential and statutory services, including:
- Drainage maintenance and capital projects.
- Bridge repairs, tunnel maintenance, and new structure construction.
- Pothole repairs and broader road asset renewal tasks.
- Pavement preservation treatments, such as surface dressing.
- Emergency response services for incidents like adverse weather, vehicle accidents, and structural failures, both during and outside of regular hours.
- Delivery of highway improvement schemes, including crash remedial measures, traffic engineering, and other infrastructure projects.
The contractor will also be responsible for routine maintenance, high-speed road programmes, and the upkeep of structures and tunnels. The council expects the successful bidder to provide the necessary fleet for these services, though it is also considering acquiring or leasing gritting vehicles and procuring gritting salt directly.
Interested parties must submit their expressions of interest by 12pm on 25 November, with the council expected to announce the shortlisted candidates by 9 December.
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