In September 2022, Kier commenced the c£30m/year highway maintenance contract in North Northamptonshire, set to maintain the network for up to 14 years. The contract puts the priorities of the council and community at its heart.
We attend an average of
1,300
defects each month
We receive an average of
1,200
enquiries every month
365
apprenticeship weeks delivered as of October 2024
Additional investment
An additional investment from North Northamptonshire Council of £1.5m was spent in the first year across 109 parishes, to carry out additional maintenance work including pothole repairs, vegetation clearance, sign cleaning, road marking renewal, and drainage investigation among other maintenance.
"The contract is very much designed towards modernising the service, including meeting our carbon neutrality targets and achieving value for money for residents through quality performance.
A fit-for-purpose Highways contract is essential in the delivery of so many of our services and vital to every single resident that uses the network, whether for work, leisure or day-to-day journeys."
Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council Executive member for Highways, Travel and Assets
Our scope of works
We undertake a range of services across the network which cover all aspects of routine, reactive and cyclical maintenance including winter and emergency response. This includes surface dressing and other innovative surface treatments, highways and safety inspections and maintaining public rights of way.
Our teams are also actively involved in stakeholder engagement, network and asset management (including traffic signals), road safety and traffic regulation orders, and the inspection, assessment, design and implementation of relevant structures and schemes.
Social and environmental impact
As part of the contract, Kier has made a number of commitments which take into consideration the legacy that will remain for years to come.
Social impact: Kier looks to create additional social value benefits to benefit the wider North Northants community and economy:
- The value of contract opportunities awarded to SMEs has generated £3.9M in social value as of October 2024
- We provide both apprenticeship and T-Level opportunities.
- We seek work opportunities for young people not in employment
Environmental impact: Kier has committed to supporting the Council with its climate emergency goals and achieving net zero. Kier will:
- Transition 100% of vehicles up to 3.5t and 50% of vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5t to electric (including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, and extended range vehicles)
- Engage with our largest suppliers to improve our supply chain data capture and reporting
- Conduct a desktop feasibility study for a hydrogen-powered depot
