Kier scoops £700m Norfolk highways maintenance deal

Kier has been appointed to deliver a £700m highways term services contract for Norfolk County Council, starting in April 2026 and running for up to 14 years.

The contract will cover highways maintenance and improvement across the county’s 9,836km road network, as well as additional infrastructure works relating to passenger transport, waste, flood defences, and civil contingencies.

Under the agreement, Kier will carry out surfacing, structural maintenance, bridge repairs, temporary works design, surface dressing and road markings, as well as cyclical work including drainage cleansing, grass cutting and weed control.

The deal also includes early contractor involvement, small and intermediate-scale schemes, and support for emergencies affecting the council’s service delivery.

Buildings related to transport or waste infrastructure—such as bus interchanges and recycling centres—may also be delivered under the agreement, at the council’s discretion.

The tender notice, published in November 2024, envisaged a shortlist of three bidders. Norfolk County Council confirmed the deal had an estimated value of £700m excluding VAT, with a maximum term of 168 months.

Norfolk has allocated more than £80m annually for the maintenance and upgrade of its transport networks. The council said its preventative treatment strategy had delivered strong results, with the county topping the National Highways and Transport public satisfaction survey for two consecutive years.

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, described the deal with Kier as “a vital and significant partnership for the County Council”.

James Birch, managing director for highways at Kier Transportation, said: “We will create local job opportunities, support local SMEs and supply chains, and our service will focus on innovation and working collaboratively to provide a safe, reliable and sustainable highways network for the county.”