Kier Highways contract extended by Shropshire Council for another year

Shropshire Council has announced a one-year extension to its highways maintenance contract with Kier, ensuring the continuation of essential services until April 2026. The decision extends Kier's existing seven-year contract, which commenced in 2017.

Under the terms of the contract, Kier is responsible for a wide range of planned and reactive highways works across the county, including major projects, streetlighting, flooding and drainage management, as well as the upkeep of bridges and structures, and winter maintenance operations.

The agreement also includes an option for Shropshire Council to award Kier two further 12-month extensions, potentially extending the partnership through to March 2028.

This announcement comes after the council highlighted the success of its "mixed economy model," which involves a combination of in-house council work and larger-scale projects delivered by Kier. The council recently reported significant benefits from this approach, including a 66% reduction in the cost of repairing potholes over the past four years – a figure below the national average – and a decrease in the number of defects on key A and B roads.

Andy Wilde, Assistant Director for Infrastructure at Shropshire Council, emphasised the importance of the extension for service stability during a period of reflection on the council's future service delivery model and financial considerations. He stated, "The one-year extension with Kier provides service stability and continuity, whilst we reflect on Shropshire’s ‘mixed economy future’ and financial challenges. Shropshire Council now has far greater control and influence over services, with Kier focused on areas of strength and value for money which we welcome."

Ian Mclellan, General Manager at Kier Transportation, expressed his satisfaction with the contract extension, stating, "It’s great to see our performance recognised by receiving this contract award, and look forward to continuing to build on the strong partnership we have with Shropshire Council. We are aligned in our values and committed to delivering on behalf of the community and leaving a positive impact – prioritising safety and sustainability, while delivering a high quality service that people can rely on."

The extension will ensure the continued maintenance and improvement of Shropshire's road network for the benefit of residents and commuters.