Kent County Council signs £50m-a-year highways contract
It will start on 1st May 2026
Kent County Council has signed a long-term contract with a new firm to maintain and improve Kent’s roads.
The contract with Ringway, which is worth about £50 million a year, will cover everything from gritting and fixing potholes, to maintaining bridges and responding to emergencies.
The council claims the new contract will mean residents will benefit from:
• Faster, more efficient repairs and maintenance – streamlined processes mean issues like potholes and drainage problems will be fixed more quickly, reducing disruption and improving road quality.
• Higher standards and accountability – clear performance targets ensure Ringway delivers reliable services.
• Better value for money – transparent pricing means every pound spent is tracked and focused on giving Kent’s Council Tax-payers confidence that their money is being used wisely.
Ringway replaces Amey, who, for the past 12 years have worked in partnership with KCC to deliver innovative and award-winning highways services. From pioneering new technology to supporting major infrastructure projects and community initiatives, Amey’s contribution has left a lasting positive impact across the county.
Peter Osborne, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “A great deal of work has gone into making sure this contract delivers real value for Kent’s Council Tax-payers. The contract is designed to be efficient, transparent, and focused on providing visible results that Kent’s residents will see.
“I look forward to working with Ringway to deliver these improvements and build a strong partnership for the future.
“My thanks go to Amey and their staff for their outstanding service to Kent over the past 12 years. From maintaining our roads to delivering major infrastructure projects, their professionalism and commitment to quality have made a real difference. Their support and expertise will be invaluable in ensuring a smooth handover as their contract comes to an end.”
Mitesh Solanki, Managing Director of Ringway said: “It is a privilege to be appointed as Kent County Council’s highways term maintenance partner. The Ringway team are excited and are looking forward to forging a strong collaborative relationship with the Kent highways team. Furthermore, we are looking forward to delivering a safer, reliable and resilient service for the communities that live and travel through Kent.’
Kyle Clough, Highways and Waste Collections Sector Director at Amey said: “As Amey’s tenure as highways contractor for Kent County Council comes to a close, we reflect with pride on a 12-year partnership built on innovation, collaboration, and community support.
“Our immediate priority is to continue delivering a high-quality service to Kent’s residents through to the end of the contract. Alongside this, we are working closely with KCC to ensure a smooth transition to the new contractor, minimising disruption for road users and the wider community.
“Over the course of our partnership, we have delivered nationally recognised services, from award-winning winter resilience programmes to pioneering SMART infrastructure projects. We’re also proud to have supported Kent through more challenging periods, including maintaining critical highways services during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to Brexit preparations through strategic infrastructure upgrades across east Kent.
“Overall, we thank our staff, partners, and stakeholders for their dedication throughout this contract and look forward to continuing our support for Kent in future opportunities.”