Vinci subsidiary wins £1bn Kent highways contract

Kent County Council has awarded a £1bn contract to Vinci subsidiary Ringway to maintain and upgrade its highways infrastructure over the next two decades.

The highways term maintenance contract will begin in May 2026 and run for 21 years, the council announced today (19 November).

Ringway will replace Amey, which has delivered the service since 2013.

The new contractor was selected following a competitive procurement process, the council said.

The new deal is expected to be worth around £50m annually, covering winter gritting, emergency response, pothole repairs and bridge maintenance.

Ringway’s contract introduces performance-based targets, aimed at improving accountability, responsiveness and long-term asset planning. It includes provisions for 24/7 emergency coverage and focuses on speeding up defect repairs.

Kent County Council cabinet member for highways and transport Peter Osborne said the contract was designed to be “efficient, transparent, and focused on providing visible results”.

He added: “A great deal of work has gone into ensuring this delivers real value for council taxpayers.”

Osborne praised outgoing provider Amey for its contribution to infrastructure delivery and resilience planning, including during the pandemic and Brexit-related logistics pressures.

Mitesh Solanki, managing director of Ringway, said the firm would focus on building a “collaborative relationship” with Kent County Council and delivering a “reliable and resilient service”.

Source: Kent County Council