Rising Challenger Marlborough Highways Snatches £150m Berkshire Contract from Industry Heavyweights

Marlborough Highways has pulled off another major coup in the local authority market after beating some of the UK's largest infrastructure contractors to secure a lucrative highways maintenance contract with West Berkshire Council.

The company fought off competition from Ringway, VolkerHighways, M Group Highways and Costain to win the long-term agreement, strengthening its growing reputation as one of the sector's fastest-rising players.

The deal, worth an initial £150 million, will place Marlborough in charge of maintaining roads and transport assets across West Berkshire from October 2026. The contract runs for seven years and includes an option for the council to extend it for a further three years.

The award is particularly significant given the calibre of rival bidders involved, many of whom have long-established positions in the local authority highways market.

Under the new arrangement, Marlborough will take responsibility for a broad range of services, including routine maintenance, emergency repairs, winter gritting operations, highway inspections and long-term asset management.

The contractor will also help deliver major investment programmes covering road improvements, safety initiatives and schemes designed to encourage walking and cycling.

West Berkshire currently invests more than £15 million each year in maintaining its highway network, making the contract one of the most substantial local authority opportunities awarded in recent years.

However, the final value of the deal could be significantly higher.

Proposed local government reforms across Berkshire and Oxfordshire could lead to changes in council boundaries and responsibilities. If those plans move forward, the contract could expand in scope and potentially grow to around £300 million.

The latest win continues an impressive run of contract successes for Marlborough Highways, which has steadily increased its presence across southern England.

In 2025, the company secured a seven-year highways maintenance agreement with Southend City Council worth approximately £200 million. Earlier that year it was also appointed to manage highway services in the London Borough of Newham under a £150 million contract.

The growing list of major awards highlights how Marlborough is increasingly challenging established market leaders and winning work traditionally dominated by larger national contractors.

The West Berkshire contract is scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026 and continue until September 2033, with the possibility of extending operations through to 2036.

For Marlborough, the deal represents another major step in its expansion strategy and further evidence that councils are increasingly willing to look beyond traditional suppliers when awarding some of the UK's largest highways maintenance contracts.