LIVERPOOL City Council has awarded a multi-million pound highways maintenance contract to ensure the continued safety and efficiency of the City’s roads.

The Council has approved the crucial highway maintenance contract be awarded to 2 companies – which will run for up to 5 years.

The contract award comes as the Council nears the completion of the Highways Improvement Plan 2 (HIP2), which has seen more than £11m invested in the City’s roads.

The Council’s Cabinet has approved the awarding of the new contracts to 2 experienced companies, Dowhigh Ltd and Huyton Asphalt Civils Ltd.

As part of the contract, the 2 firms are committed to creating social value that will see benefit to the community in addition to the work carried out.

Liverpool City Council has also recently announced a new £4million contract for the Traffic Signal Upgrade Programme.

This initiative aims to modernise 6 key junctions, enhance pedestrian safety, reduce congestion and promote active travel.

In addition, Liverpool City Council is a key partner in ADEPT Live Labs 2, a 3-year, UK-wide £30 million programme funded by the Department for Transport that aims to decarbonise the local highway network.

The Council is pioneering the use of smart road and highway technologies with a series of experiments across the City on roads, pedestrian crossings and cycle paths.

The hope is that these new technologies will reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, alleviate congestion, and create more sustainable neighbourhoods.

Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- “The safety and upkeep of our roads are vital for our community. These contracts allow us to maintain essential services. They will also see us work in a more efficient and cost-effective way. This means that road-users will notice roads getting repaired quicker, with the work meeting higher standards. The Council has a responsibility under the Highways Act 1980 to maintain roads and these contracts will ensure that we continue to deliver necessary repairs, including pothole repairs, resurfacing, and drainage maintenance to the highest possible standards. The council has chosen to work with these companies because of their proven track record and their local presence, which helps to ensure good value for money.”

Matt Corke, Framework Director at Dowhigh, said:- “We are proud to be awarded this vital contract by Liverpool City Council. As a local, family-run business with deep roots in Merseyside, we’re committed to delivering high-quality, long-lasting highway repairs that make a real difference to communities across the City. Through close collaboration with the Council, we’ll focus on efficient pothole repairs and resurfacing, helping to make Liverpool’s roads safer and more reliable. We’re equally committed to creating meaningful social value – from supporting local employment and skills development to working alongside responsible local businesses. Together, we’ll build better roads and brighter futures for Liverpool residents.”

Tony Carney, Managing Director of HA Civils, expressed his delight in continuing the long-established and successful partnership with Liverpool City Council. He said:- "As a proud Liverpool business, we are committed to building upon the great work we've delivered over many years and supporting the Council's vision for a fairer, cleaner, and stronger City. Through this contract, we will prioritise significant carbon reduction, create sustainable local employment opportunities, deliver measurable social value through our HA Means More initiatives, and provide an exceptional, reliable local service throughout the contract.”