A new £3.5m annual contract to maintain North Somerset’s roads has been signed.

North Somerset Council and Mendip based John Wainwright & Company Ltd has signed a four-year contract for resurfacing and other infrastructure works.

Tom Longland, Wainwright’s CEO said: “We’re proud to have secured the resurfacing contract. This is a significant moment in our history as it is the first time we have worked directly with local government. It reflects the company’s growing stature in the public sector.”

Wainwright’s Contracting Director, Lee Seviour, added: “To ensure we deliver the very best service, we have added an extra gang to our contracting division as well as investing in new machinery. We look forward to working with colleagues at North Somerset Council to serve local communities.”

The new contract is part of a review of how the council maintains its roads. The previous highway maintenance contract has now been split into separate contracts allowing specialist companies to tender for work in their specific field.

The Wainright contract is the largest of the contracts. The other three highway maintenance areas have been awarded to:

• North Somerset Environment Company (NSEC) – Reactive maintenance including gullies, potholes, gritting, drainage, signage, road markings and out of hours emergencies. Contract value is £2.3m a year.
• Eurovia – Surface dressing programme. Contract value is £1.1m a year.
• Highways Dynamic Purchasing systems to deliver civil engineering, structural work and specialist road surface treatments. This allows the council to contract work to local companies who have signed up to take part in the system enhancing skills, learning and employment in the area. The value of the contracts is £1.8m a year.

Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council’s executive member with responsibility for highways said: 

“A huge amount of work has been done this year to review the way that the Council contracts highway services to ensure our road network is maintained in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

“When seeking a new partner to deliver our Highway services, we wanted to focus on delivering social value, building on the council’s commitment to carbon reduction and protecting the environment. We also wanted to use local skills, talent, and supply chain partners and give people the opportunity to work in the sector.

“Wainwright’s offer ticked all these boxes. I am confident that by working together we will provide excellent services and value for our residents.”