Marlborough Highways has been identified as the preferred bidder for West Berkshire Council’s new highways maintenance contract, a deal valued at £150m that could potentially increase to £300m if planned local government reorganisation leads to an expansion of the authority’s responsibilities.
The West Berkshire Highways Term Maintenance Contract is scheduled to run from October 2026 until September 2033, with the option of a further three-year extension. Marlborough Highways secured preferred bidder status ahead of four competing firms following a competitive procurement process that attracted five submissions.
Under the contract, the company will undertake the council’s statutory highway authority functions, including reactive and planned highway maintenance, winter service operations and highway asset management.
The scope of the agreement may also extend to environmental services, greenspace management and delivery of a wider capital works programme if required by the council.
Marlborough Highways was selected ahead of Ringway Infrastructure Services, VolkerHighways, M Group Highways and Costain.
The contract has been awarded with an estimated value of £150m excluding VAT, equivalent to £180m including VAT. However, the contract award notice states that the total value could rise to as much as £300m should local government reorganisation across Berkshire and Oxfordshire result in a larger operational area and broader service obligations.
West Berkshire Council stressed that no decision has yet been made on local government reorganisation and there is no guarantee that the contract value will increase beyond its current level.
The contract is due to commence on 1 October 2026. A standstill period remains in place until 24 June, with formal contract signing expected from 26 June.
West Berkshire Council currently spends more than £15m annually on highway maintenance activities and delivers an ongoing capital programme that includes highway improvement works, road safety schemes and active travel projects.
