Three Bidders On Shortlist For Highways Partnership

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 Ltd)

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.

(CD/KMcA)