25 January 2011
Essex
County Council has shortlisted three bidders to create the largest
integrated highways partnership in the UK, which will deliver
significant savings whilst providing an improved level of local
service for residents.
The project will see several existing
contracts to operate Essex’s highways replaced with one single
long-term partnership.
The bidders progressing to the next stage are:
- Balfour Beatty Group Ltd
- Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd/Ringway
Infrastructure Services Ltd (Joint Venture)
- Transforming Highway Services (Costain
Ltd/Serco Ltd/Capita Symonds)
The shortlisted bidders will continue their
dialogue with Essex County Council in order to help define the
partnership structure and delivery of services in more detail. A
preferred bidder will be selected by September 2011.
The selected partner will then form a strategic partnership with
the County Council, bringing long-term expertise and an innovative
approach to the delivery of local highways services.
This integrated delivery model will enable Essex County Council to
combine a heightened customer-focused approach to local services
with the efficiency and consistency of centralised management and
control.
County Councillor Norman Hume, Cabinet Member for Highways &
Transportation said: “I am delighted with what we have seen from
the shortlisted applicants so far. Customer focus and improving
core services are two of our top priorities, and the Highways
Transformation Programme will help us achieve this whilst
delivering value for money for Essex residents.”