Milton Keynes City Council has renewed its commitment to quality road maintenance.
- Ringway secures an eight-year highway maintenance contract worth £168m.
- The contract involves managing over 1,500 km of highways and various city infrastructure.
- Residents will benefit from innovations like AI and a green vehicle fleet.
- Extensive tender process ensured selection based on value, efficiency, and quality.
In a significant move to ensure the continued efficiency of its highway maintenance, Milton Keynes City Council has awarded a new contract to Ringway. Valued at approximately £168 million for an initial term of eight years, with the potential for an additional two-year extension, the contract demonstrates a deep-seated trust in Ringway’s capabilities. Having managed Milton Keynes’ roads since 2014, Ringway was a natural choice, promising enhancements in service, including new technology implementations and a focus on environmental sustainability.
The contract, set to commence on 1st September 2024, outlines Ringway’s responsibilities over a vast urban spread, comprising 1,526 km of local highways, footways, and cycleways. Also included in the maintenance are more than a million square metres of verges, 763 bridges, 54,400 streetlights, 41 traffic signals, 72,000 drainage assets, and 114,000 trees. This extensive coverage ensures that the vital infrastructure of Milton Keynes is well-preserved and responsive to any service demands.
Crucially, Ringway will continue to perform routine, reactive, and cyclical maintenance, alongside emergency responses to adverse weather conditions. The contract further incorporates plans for major infrastructural maintenance and capital improvements, emphasizing drainage systems, highway junction enhancements, public realm projects, and safety and traffic management schemes. Such comprehensive provisions promise a future-ready infrastructure that aligns with the growing needs of the city and its residents.
Milton Keynes City Council, with an eye on innovation and improvement, favoured Ringway for its proposal that promised significant advancements. Stuart Proffitt, director of environment and property at Milton Keynes City Council, highlighted the rigorous tender process, stating, “We’re very happy to be working with Ringway Infrastructure Services to deliver a new, innovative highways contract for MK residents.” He underscored the importance of selecting a provider that met the authority’s criteria for value, efficiency, and quality.
Moreover, the renewal signifies an enhanced focus on improving customer interfaces and integrating technology innovations such as AI. Additionally, Ringway’s commitment to employing a green fleet of vehicles reflects a forward-thinking approach to environmental challenges, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint of city operations. Enhanced community engagement also forms a core part of the strategy, ensuring that residents are not only beneficiaries but also active participants in the city’s infrastructural future.
The renewed contract ensures a modern, responsive, and sustainable infrastructure for Milton Keynes.
