Medway Council Launches £132m Highways Maintenance Contract Pipeline

Medway Council has signalled its intention to procure a new highways term maintenance contract worth an estimated £132 million, as it prepares to replace its current long-standing arrangement.

The proposed contract is set to run for an initial seven-year period from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2034, with the option to extend for a further three years until July 2037.

The successful contractor will take responsibility for maintaining a substantial and diverse asset base across the Medway network. This includes approximately 845km of adopted highways, around 1,100km of footways, more than 27,000 streetlights, over 400 bridges and retaining structures, as well as the Medway Tunnel and an estimated 91,000 additional highway assets.

The move comes as the council’s current contract with VolkerHighways approaches its end. That agreement, which began in August 2017, is due to expire on 31 July 2026.

Medway Council said it is now looking to establish a successor contract that will ensure the continued management and upkeep of its infrastructure network.

As part of the early procurement process, the authority has announced plans to engage with the market. A virtual market engagement workshop is scheduled to take place between 13 and 19 April, offering potential bidders an opportunity to gain insight into the scope of the contract, the condition and profile of the network, and possible delivery models.

The engagement phase is expected to conclude by 29 May, with the formal tender anticipated to be issued by 13 July 2026.

The upcoming procurement represents a significant opportunity for contractors, given the scale and complexity of the network involved, and reflects the council’s long-term commitment to maintaining and improving its highways infrastructure.