The contract worth £328m over eight years will start this July. Colas will carry out routine maintenance and repairs and respond to emergency incidents and severe weather services on some of the region’s busiest routes, including the M6, M42 and M54.

Presently Kier is the incumbent contractor under a three-year deal awarded in 2018 to support the transition from traditional Asset Support Contracts to the new Asset Delivery model where National Highways assumes direct control of asset management, maintenance and other services.

Colas takes over from Kier in the West Midlands, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire North Gloucestershire territory

Regional operations director for the Midlands, Andrew Jinks, said:  “By working more closely with our supply chain partners on routine maintenance, repairs and incident response, we’re able to work more effectively, identifying innovative ways of working and provide the best possible quality of service to road users.”

The area Colas will be maintaining covers around 2,300 miles of motorway and trunk roads.

Carl Fergusson, CEO Colas , said: “Everyone at Colas is delighted that we are continuing to build on our successful relationship with National Highways with this new, significant, contract award.

“We are looking forward to establishing a highly effective collaborative working relationship in Area 9 with National Highways and our supply chain partners as part of the contract, and in working towards the common goal of reducing carbon emissions to achieve net zero.”