Questions Raised Over Southampton’s £60m Highways Contract Award

Concerns have been raised over the awarding of a £60 million highways contract in Southampton, with calls for greater transparency around the decision-making process.

Southampton City Council last year agreed a new five-year deal extending a long-standing partnership. Although the contract officially began on October 1, it was not publicly announced at the time, with the delay later attributed to an administrative oversight. The issue only came to light in late March after enquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council spokesperson explained that authority to appoint a new highways partner had been delegated in March 2024 to senior officers, with the final decision made via the SCAPE procurement framework.

They added that Balfour Beatty’s performance during the previous contract, which ran from 2010 to 2025, was reviewed as part of the selection process.

Despite this, opposition councillors have questioned both the process and the level of scrutiny applied. Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Richard Blackman, who chairs the overview and scrutiny management committee, said he had pushed for greater oversight during discussions last year. However, he noted that key discussions were held in private, limiting transparency.

Cllr Blackman also expressed concerns about whether the contract delivers value for money, stating that responses to questions about spending on roads and pavements had lacked clarity. He suggested there is now an opportunity to examine the contract more closely, particularly as additional funding for highways is expected from 2026/27.

Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Baillie acknowledged the concerns but said extending the existing partnership may have been the most practical option, particularly given potential changes to local government structures.

The contract covers a wide range of services, including routine and emergency road maintenance, winter services, and major infrastructure works such as upgrades to the Itchen Bridge and Above Bar Street.

In its own statement, the council said the agreement represents good value for residents and will support ongoing investment in the city’s transport infrastructure.