Kier has been awarded a four-year extension to its existing highways services contract with Northamptonshire County Council.Both Kier and the local authority have agreed the formation of a new strategic alliance entitled ‘Making Northamptonshire Work’.The highways services contract was due for renewal in 2016 and this decision will both extend and enhance the partnership between the organisations up to March 2020, subject to annual performance reviews. This extension has a value of £200m over the four years.The continued and extended relationship between the council and KierWSP under the strategic alliance proposal will bring an additional saving to the council of £5m through improved efficiencies and working practices.Cllr Michael Clarke, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and environment, said: “We are looking forward to developing the way forward as a strategic alliance, which will offer us more opportunities to work better together and improve our services, while making the necessary savings that are required within Northamptonshire.”Bruce Donaldson, of the KierWSP joint venture board, added: “It is particularly rewarding for the KierWSP team to secure this extension to the highways services contract from Northamptonshire County Council, following over six years of successfully working together.“The extension and new alliance means that we can further deepen and develop the partnership to deliver more efficient and effective services to customers across the region. Our track record and experience in Northamptonshire has helped us to understand and prioritise the needs of the local residents and businesses, so working in close partnership with the council we look forward to what can be achieved under the new alliance.”