North Northamptonshire Extends Kier Highways Contract Amid Calls for Improvement

North Northamptonshire Council is set to extend its highways maintenance contract with Kier by a further year, despite scrutiny over service performance and calls for improvement.

At a recent place and environment scrutiny meeting, councillors were told that Kier’s performance had been “satisfactory”, though several areas requiring improvement were identified. These include customer service, communication with residents, and maintaining operational resilience—particularly during periods of high winter demand.

The extension will take the existing seven-year contract through to 2030. While no formal vote is required—due to the decision being made under delegated authority.

An improvement plan has been introduced alongside the extension, aimed at addressing performance gaps and demonstrating measurable progress in the coming years. This includes a shift towards a “leave no defect behind” approach, intended to improve efficiency and value for money.

However, concerns were raised over a lack of supporting data behind the decision. A member of the public questioned why key performance metrics—such as cost per pothole repair—had not been made available.

Labour councillor David Baker criticised the basis for the extension, saying the assessment of performance as “passable” did not justify continued delivery under the same arrangements. Green councillor Emily Fedorowycz also expressed concerns, warning that the proposed improvements did not provide sufficient confidence in future service standards.

Kier is eligible for up to three one-year extensions under the contract, subject to meeting agreed performance criteria throughout its duration.

In response, a Kier spokesperson said the company remains committed to delivering safe and reliable highway services, adding that it is working closely with the council to address feedback and drive continuous improvement.