Ringway has started work on a seven year highways contract for Milton Keynes Council.
Representatives from Milton Keynes Council and Ringway, came together to officially launch the new highways, street lighting and network term service contract.
The company has been appointed to manage, maintain and improve highways related assets, including street lighting, under a seven year contract. Worth £10-20 million per year, it is extendable for a further three years. In addition to undertaking all routine and cyclical highways maintenance, the contract also includes for highways safety inspections and the construction of schemes up to a value of £1 million, with the potential for schemes greater than £1 million to also be ordered.
John Pryor, assistant director public realm, Milton Keynes Council, said: “This is an historic day for Milton Keynes as we are changing from several providers to one, which we not only hope will greatly increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our highways projects, but also improve the overall quality and image of the service.”
Rachael Kingsley, Milton Keynes Council head of highways, said: “A key issue for us was to identify a partner in whom we have the upmost confidence to manage a smooth transfer of services. Ringway has a long history of transferring public sector services to provide efficiencies and was able to demonstrate this through their tender submission. We can now continue with the task of providing better and more efficient services across Milton Keynes’ roads, footways and footpaths.”
Jerry Pert, Ringway regional director, added: “We are delighted to officially launch our Milton Keynes service today and look forward to working collaboratively with the council to deliver a first-class maintenance service, whilst at the same time, supporting the council as they embark on an ambitious investment programme. This investment in the transport system is needed to support the significant growth that is planned for Milton Keynes in order the town remains a favourable location for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
Ringway will also advise the council on a £50 million capital asset upgrade of the local network funded by Prudential Borrowing. This will be invested during the seven-year initial tenure of the contract as part of a 25-year asset management plan for Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes highways network includes: 1,170km of carriageways, 1,800km of footways, 300km of redways, 56,000 street lighting columns, 4,500 illuminated signs and electrical units, 791 bridges and 115 other structures (mainly retaining walls).
