New partnership to improve Buckinghamshire’s highways

Today (Monday 3 April), a new partnership is being launched, which has been designed to improve the way roads and footways in Buckinghamshire are maintained and managed.

The newly formed ‘Buckinghamshire Highways’ is an alliance between Buckinghamshire Council and two organisations - Balfour Beatty Living Places and Atkins.

It will also involve a number of specialist framework contractors.

The plan is to cover all elements of highways maintenance and repair, including pothole repairs, gully cleansing, street lighting, winter gritting and resurfacing works, as well as larger improvement and development programmes.

The council says the new arrangements allow them to take back greater control and increase accountability in effectively maintaining the county’s network of almost 2,100 miles of highways and 1,500 miles of footways.

Buckinghamshire Highways will replace Transport for Buckinghamshire, which for the previous 13 years managed highways in the county.

The three main partners have marked the start of their alliance at a brand-new operational hub at the Griffin Lane depot in Aylesbury.

The hub has eight 55” screens to monitor activities as they happen, track the progress of works on roads and footways and identify where further efficiencies can be made.

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Over a number of months we’ve been working on ensuring a smooth transition to Buckinghamshire Highways.

"We looked at what wasn’t working so well and have created an organisation that can better respond to the needs of everyone using the highways.

"I’m pleased that all partners in our new alliance share our commitment to giving residents the best value for money, to innovation and to finding better ways of doing things and share the council’s determination to reduce carbon emissions in their work.”

Balfour Beatty Living Places is the alliance’s new maintenance contractor and a leading provider of highways maintenance, street lighting and services for local authorities across the UK.

Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “Collaborative partnerships are essential in delivering best-in-class services for our customers, and for the communities we serve.

“We are delighted to be working closely with Buckinghamshire Council as we work hard to leave a lasting positive legacy across the county; improving services, reducing our environmental impact, engaging with local supply chain partners and creating local employment opportunities.”

Atkins is the alliance’s new consultancy provider and will be delivering planning, design, engineering and project management services for Buckinghamshire Highways.

Mike Batheram, Market Director at Atkins, said: “We are excited to be part of Buckinghamshire Highways alongside the council and Balfour Beatty Living Places and look forward to working collaboratively to improve highway services in Buckinghamshire and helping shape the future of transport in the region.

"We are committed to delivering improved ways of working, including the introduction of new digital approaches and greater customer focus for the benefit of local residents and businesses in Buckinghamshire.”

We are told Buckinghamshire Highways will continue the multi-million-pound investment pledged by Buckinghamshire Council towards improving the county’s roads.

Earlier this year the council announced a further £5m investment alongside the £100m over 4 years it has already set aside to deal with the worst affected areas.

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