Kent County Council has signed a new 21-year, £50m a year Highways Term Maintenance Contract (HTMC) with Ringway to deliver a wide range of essential services, including road repairs, winter gritting, drainage, bridge inspections and maintenance, as well as providing an emergency response service at all hours.

The new contract, according to the Council, means residents can expect:

• Faster and more efficient repairs – streamlined working practices will help address issues such as potholes, drainage and road defects more quickly, reducing disruption and improving journey quality.
• Clear standards and accountability – robust performance measures are built into the contract to ensure consistent, reliable service delivery.
• Better value for money – transparent pricing and strong contract management will give Council Tax-payers confidence that investment in highways is being spent wisely and effectively.

Ringway will take over from Amey, who have worked in partnership with KCC for the past 12 years to deliver highways services across the county. During that time, Amey supported major infrastructure schemes, introduced innovative technologies and played a key role in community initiatives, leaving a lasting positive legacy on Kent’s road network.

Peter Osborne, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: 

“From today, our new highways contract with Ringway is live, providing a strong foundation of our long-term approach for looking after Kent’s roads.

“Kent has one of the largest and busiest road networks in the country and this new partnership puts us in a better position to keep people moving safely, now and in the future.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to Amey and all their staff for 12 years of outstanding service to Kent and for the positive legacy they leave.”

Patrick Connolly, Contract Director, at Ringway said: 

“The start of this contract marks an important moment for Ringway and our partnership with KCC. We are proud to have been chosen as a trusted delivery partner and to take on responsibility for supporting a safe, reliable and well-maintained highway network.

“This contract has been shaped around transparency, value and collaborative working, and our focus is firmly on high‑quality, consistent delivery that residents will see on the ground. By working respectfully and openly with KCC and stakeholders, we look forward to building a strong partnership and delivering positive outcomes across Kent.”

(Picture: Ringway/Kent County Council)