Atkins and Skanska net £80m Highways Agency contract

Atkins and Skanska have won a five-year Highways Agency contract worth up to £80m to maintain and operate the strategic road network in the South-west.

The so-called “Area 2” contract will see work commence in July, with revenue split equally between both firms.

It covers motorways and major trunk roads from Tewkesbury to Exeter, and Swindon to the Welsh border - including both Severn bridges.

Atkins chief executive Uwe Krueger said the contract was an “important win” and the first Highways Agency procurement under its new Asset Support Contract.

“Our success has been due to our ability to provide industry-leading skills at a competitive price and we believe it positions us to play a key role in helping to shape the management of the UK’s road network moving forward,” he said.

Highways Agency network development and delivery director Derek Turner said he believed the new contracts system would deliver the best-possible value for money without compromising safety.

“Contractors will retain their incident support capability, but will be better able to deploy their staff more flexibly,” he said.

“Our winter fleet will work as usual to keep the network open during periods of severe weather.

“We and our contractors always put the safety of road users first when prioritising maintenance and improvements and we will continue to do so.”

Atkins is also incumbent on the Highways Agency’s “Managing Agent Contract” for the East of England.