Kent Unveils Major Highways Maintenance Deals Worth £100M

A series of new contracts worth a combined £100 million has been awarded by Kent County Council to support the upkeep of its extensive road network.

Rather than a single agreement, the council has split the work into six regional packages, each covering different parts of the county. These contracts will run for an initial three-year period, starting in April 2026, with the possibility of being extended until 2031.

Kent’s road network spans around 8,760 kilometres, placing it among the largest managed by any local authority in the UK. The newly awarded framework is intended to ensure ongoing maintenance is delivered efficiently at a local level, with teams focusing on priority issues such as potholes and general road condition.

Each of the six contracts carries a value of roughly £16.6 million over its full term. Local highway managers will oversee delivery, allowing work to be tailored to the specific needs of each district.

The successful companies selected to deliver the works are:

• Elm Surfacing, which will operate in both Dartford & Gravesham and Thanet & Dover

• G & J Steele Plant Hire, covering Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells

• Henderson & Taylor (Public Works), responsible for Maidstone & Tonbridge & Malling, as well as Swale & Canterbury

• CW Surfacing, appointed for Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe

The procurement process was competitive, with four bids submitted for each lot before the final selections were made.

Overall, the framework is expected to provide a structured and locally responsive approach to maintaining Kent’s roads over the coming years.