Multevo's progressive approach to collaboration has paid dividends in its work with Kier and the Shropshire Highways Alliance, where the client and principal contractor aimed to deliver services differently and embrace a mixed economy.
Multevo joined the Shropshire Highways Alliance in March 2021 and set about delivering a turnkey solution.
The approach is to work independently while integrating operatives, supervisors, surveyors and contract management with the principal contractor and the clients’ own operational teams, as an extension of in-house capabilities.
This collaborative alliance has delivered over 180,000 square metres of permanent pothole, defect and patch repairs. This is even more impressive when you consider that the alliance has also seen outstanding defects reduce by 60% and a fix-first-time rate of nearly 90%.
Importantly, stakeholder satisfaction has also increased as residents and councillors can see the improvements on the network.
This does not just come from the repairs themselves but the social value Multevo has helped foster, including through the Barnabas Community Project’s 360 garden in Shrewsbury.
This has been transformed thanks to Shropshire Council and its highways partners Kier and Multevo.
Barnabas Community Church is home to foodbank PLUS, which incorporates a range of essential support services for clients in Shrewsbury.
This includes Shrewsbury Food Bank and their unique 360 initiatives where they host a range of activities with the aim to help form relationships through building self-confidence and self-esteem.
Multevo and Kier supported foodbank PLUS by transforming its garden. One of the charity’s projects teaches clients basic gardening and woodwork skills.
The garden is situated next to the River Severn and is liable to yearly flooding, which over the years has worn the gravelled surface and disabled access path.
Kier engaged with Barnabas Community Church to establish the project requirements, before liaising with Multevo as a partner to deliver the social value project for the community.
Multevo’s team excavated the worn and uneven surface and replaced it with fresh tarmac, kerbings, and edgings to make the space more accessible and safer for visitors.
Ian Mclellan, general manager at Kier Highways, Shropshire, said: 'We’re pleased to have been able to support the Barnabas Community Church in this way. The work that they carry out, with such passion and pride, is truly inspiring.
'We have worked diligently to turn the project around in just one week. Those visiting the church to utilise its services can now relax in the new tranquil gardens and enjoy tending to them for years to come. This collaborative effort between Kier and Multevo will no doubt leave a lasting positive impact in the community.'
Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, said 'A major part of the contracts we award is the social value element, including this fantastic project at the Barnabas Community Church.
'Huge thanks go to Keir and Multevo for the work they have done to turn this facility into a fantastic place for the people who need it.'
Karen Williams, Project Lead at foodbank PLUS: 'I’d like to thank Multevo, Kier and Shropshire Council for allowing us to use your staff and materials to tidy up this area. The area is now fixed and a level surface, making it much safer and wheelchair accessible for our clients. It’s going to make a massive difference to way we deliver 360 back garden.'
