Contract is renewed

THE two companies which make up Herts Highways with the county council have had their contract renewed for a further three years. Mouchel and AmeyLafarge will continue to be responsible for road repairs and potholes as well as major projects such as the m

THE two companies which make up Herts Highways with the county council have had their contract renewed for a further three years.

Mouchel and AmeyLafarge will continue to be responsible for road repairs and potholes as well as major projects such as the multi-million pound scheme in St Peter's Street as part of their partnership with Herts County Council.

The decision to renew the contract was taken after what the county council describes as, "a rigorous assessment and review process last year".

Herts Highways was set up in 2002 and built into the contract was the option to extend from 2009 until 2012.

An in-depth six-month assessment of Herts Highways' performance was carried out by a special project team last year to help make the decision. The assessment recommended some changes to the contracts, reflected in tough new conditions to which the firms have agreed.

Said Cllr Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs: "When we first set up Herts Highways our aim was to make the service as efficient, cost-effective and user-friendly as possible and those same aims have governed the decision to extend the contracts."

He added: "Like any major shake-up, the review has reminded us of all the huge challenges that we face: an ongoing shortfall in funding for roads maintenance from central government and having some of the busiest roads in the country to maintain.

"A lot of work has been going on to improve the service, despite these constraints, and by extending the contracts we can build on that work.