Kier Group, Graham and John Sisk & Son have been appointed to a new six-year framework to reconstruct England’s ageing concrete motorway and trunk road network.
The near £1bn Legacy Concrete Roads Reconstruction framework, commissioned by National Highways, will run from 2026 to 2032, spanning Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) and the start of RIS4. The programme will target large sections of England’s “legacy” concrete roads, most of which were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s.
These concrete carriageways are concentrated predominantly along the eastern side of England, including East Anglia, the North East, Yorkshire and the South East. National Highways has identified around 400 miles of its Strategic Road Network – approximately 4% of the total – as concrete pavement. Many of these stretches are among the most maintenance-intensive parts of the network.
The new framework signals a move away from patch-and-mend interventions towards full reconstruction using modern pavement designs and quieter surfacing systems. The outgoing £400m five-year arrangement placed greater emphasis on lifecycle extension and targeted repairs. In contrast, the replacement framework effectively doubles planned expenditure and prioritises comprehensive slab replacement and structural renewal.
The scope of works includes demolition of existing concrete pavements, full-depth reconstruction, installation of new pavement furniture and road markings, and upgrades to hardened central reserves. Contractors will also be responsible for temporary traffic management and will act as principal designer and principal contractor in accordance with CDM 2015 regulations. Carbon capture reporting will form part of delivery requirements, reflecting the growing emphasis on environmental performance across major infrastructure programmes.
Recovery, recycling and reuse of site arisings will be embedded within the framework as National Highways advances lower-carbon renewals and circular economy principles. The intention is to reduce embodied carbon while improving long-term durability and user experience across key strategic routes.
James Birch, managing director for transportation at Kier Infrastructure, said: “Securing a place on the Legacy Concrete Roads Reconstruction framework is testament to the integrated design and build expertise held within our business and we’re pleased to be working with our long-term client, National Highways to deliver these vital works.
“This appointment allows us to play a key role in delivering essential upgrades to England’s legacy concrete road network, improving the safety and resilience of it for end users. We’ll bring innovative solutions, sustainable practices and collaboration to the schemes, while maximising value for our customer and the communities we work in.”
Nick Knorr, head of the National Concrete Roads Programme at National Highways, said: “By replacing aging concrete roads with modern designs, we’re ensuring smoother, quieter, and more resilient routes for millions of people.
“Building on the success of recent reconstruction schemes, this next phase will be delivered in partnership with our supply chain, helping us bring lasting improvements to communities and businesses across England.”
Under the outgoing framework, Morgan Sindall and John Sisk & Son delivered major reconstruction schemes, while VolkerFitzpatrick, Colas, Dyer & Butler and Tarmac focused on lifecycle extension works.
