Kent County Council (KCC) has signed a new 21-year highways contract with Ringway.

The Highways Term Maintenance Contract starts next May and will be worth around £50m a year covering everything from gritting in winter and fixing potholes to maintaining bridges and responding to emergencies 24/7.

Ringway replaces Amey who have worked in partnership with KCC to deliver highways services for the last 12 years.

Peter Osborne, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “A great deal of work has gone into making sure this contract delivers real value for Kent’s Council Tax-payers. The contract is designed to be efficient, transparent, and focused on providing visible results that Kent’s residents will see.

“I look forward to working with Ringway to deliver these improvements and build a strong partnership for the future.

“My thanks go to Amey and their staff for their outstanding service to Kent over the past 12 years. From maintaining our roads to delivering major infrastructure projects, their professionalism and commitment to quality have made a real difference. Their support and expertise will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth handover as their contract comes to an end.”

Mitesh Solanki, Managing Director of Ringway added: “The Ringway team are excited and are looking forward to forging a strong collaborative relationship with the Kent highways team. Furthermore, we are looking forward to delivering a safer, reliable and resilient service for the communities that live and travel through Kent.”

Kyle Clough, Highways and Waste Collections Sector Director at Amey said: “As Amey’s tenure as highways contractor for Kent County Council comes to a close, we reflect with pride on a 12-year partnership built on innovation, collaboration, and community support.

“Our immediate priority is to continue delivering a high-quality service to Kent’s residents through to the end of the contract. Alongside this, we are working closely with KCC to ensure a smooth transition to the new contractor, minimising disruption for road users and the wider community.”