Seven-year highways contract for Warwickshire awarded to Balfour Beatty
The contract will deliver road improvements across Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull
Last updated 2nd Feb 2026
Warwickshire County Council, in partnership with Coventry City Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, has awarded a seven-year highways maintenance contract to Balfour Beatty Living Places.
The contract, which runs from May 2026 to May 2033, comes with an option to extend for an additional six years. The decision followed a competitive selection process aimed at securing the best value service.
Under the arrangement, Balfour Beatty Living Places will manage and maintain roads, footways, structures, and associated assets including gulleys and culverts across all three local authorities.
The partnership is set to deliver improvements in road safety, reduce disruption for users, and enhance the overall condition of the network.
Part of the contract’s added value includes new investments in physical depots and technology. A central hub will be set up to provide real-time information, analyse data, and prioritise vital work—such as immediate treatment for potholes and road defects.
Cllr Jennifer Warren, Warwickshire's portfolio holder for transport and planning, emphasised the impact of the contract:
“This contract has been awarded following rigorous scrutiny of the bids received, and Balfour Beatty have demonstrated that they offer the highest quality service and best value for money.
"The same amount of work that we carried out last year could be delivered for £1 million less under the new arrangement—unlocking the potential to increase the amount we do for the same spend."
Warren also highlighted innovations such as grit bin sensors for freezing weather and a focus on preventative measures to tackle road issues like potholes before they form.
Philip Hoare, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, underlined the importance of long-term partnerships for infrastructure projects:
“This award reflects the confidence and trust our customers place in Balfour Beatty.
"Over the last fifteen years, we have worked collaboratively with our local authority partners to build a strategic infrastructure partnership that combines effective asset management and improving services to deliver strong, measurable outcomes."
The Councils believe that this combined approach across Warwickshire, Coventry, and Solihull will achieve better maintenance outcomes for years to come.