Essex County Council is planning to bring more oversight of highways maintenance in-house when procurement for a new contract starts next year.
The plans have been floated by the Conservative-led council, although its current contract with Ringway Jacobs, which was first agreed back in 2012, does not run out for another three years.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, the council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and sustainable transport, said: ‘Pride in place is a key priority for residents of Essex and as a council, we are on the side of our residents. The new model of highways delivery will have that principle firmly at its core.
‘The council is looking carefully at how the next highways service can best encapsulate the ambition, vision and commitment to keep Essex safer, greener and healthier using innovation and sustainability. We want to be bold, remain dedicated to improving the county and best serve the needs of Essex, our residents and businesses.’
In 2012, Essex replaced all 10 of its highways contracts with a single integrated deal with Ringway Jacobs valued at more than £1bn.
The move was hailed by the council’s then cabinet member for highways and transportation, Tracey Chapman, as delivering ‘greater value for money for Essex residents’.
In March 2020, the decade-long deal was extended by another five years up to 2027.
Last summer, the council started talking to other local authorities and hosting a series of market engagement seminars ahead of cabinet discussions on a renewal, which have led to plans for a ‘mixed economy model’ being agreed from 2027.
A separate contract will be set up for carriageway resurfacing and procurement for the new arrangements will mean ‘more resources within the council to oversee the highways service’.
Cllr Cunningham added: ‘We want to shift the dial far enough to address the challenges we are facing. Designing the next highways contract and the service that will be delivered as part of it is our chance to do that.’
RingwayJacobs was contacted for comment.
Amendment: This article has been amended to make clear in its headline that not all maintenance work is being brought back in-house. Essex is planning to strengthen the in-house team that oversees the delivery of the contract.
