Councils choose different paths to drive highway service efficiencies

Despite pressure to make the available money go further, a number of local authorities are deciding against radical changes such as outsourcing the majority of their transport functions or merging contracts with their neighbours.

Lee Baker

06 May 2011

Authorities are taking different approaches to delivering efficiencies in highway services

Revolution or evolution? That is the choice facing councils considering whether to change the way they deliver local transport services ranging from highways maintenance and improvement schemes through to highway design and professional services, and the supervision of work.

West Sussex County Council last week opted for the latter. The authority is replacing a traditional three-way contractor-consultant-client arrangement with an upgraded alliance with Balfour Beatty that passes more...