SWARCO UK & Ireland have been awarded a new long-term service and maintenance contract for traffic signals and signage covering Bedford Borough Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Luton Council and Peterborough City Council.

This new contract follows a successful collaboration between five individual local authorities which began in 2016 when the first contract was awarded to drive efficiencies with shared cost and effort. Due to the success of the collaboration in providing taxpayers with better value, each authority has continued to work together in the same way when tendering the new contract.

The new contract, which is scheduled to begin in September, covers a combined total of 825 traffic signals and includes all equipment service and maintenance (with 24-hour emergency cover), technology supply and installation. In addition, SWARCO will supply and install new traffic signal systems, including controllers, signal heads and signage, across all council-led projects. The contract will also deliver on social value specific to each authority area, providing effective stewardship of the environment and assisting with meeting the Net Zero target.

Cllr Javed Hussain portfolio holder for Highways at Luton Council, speaking on behalf of the partnership said: “All of the five local authorities in the framework are looking forward to working with SWARCO on the new contract, continuing to receive the benefits of one contractor delivering reduced costs and improved efficiencies and additional social value.’’

John Pickworth, Managing Director at SWARCO UK & Ireland, says the renewed contract is a significant milestone for SWARCO, built on the business’ extensive experience and proven service delivery: “This is a huge achievement and a great testimony to a large team within the business. We look forward to our continued partnership with the authorities to help them achieve greater flexibility and efficiencies in traffic management and maintenance, and in turn minimising disruption for the public across the region.”