A positive start in Northamptonshire

As the new contractor working on Northamptonshire’s highways we’re relishing getting stuck into the £34m of work anticipated in the first year of the new contract.

The contract was awarded to MGWSP, a 50:50 joint venture between May Gurney and WSP, and has an approximate value of £320m over eight years, with a potential four-year extension.

A key aim is to address the day-to-day problems the public face with uneven roads and potholes - so that the community, drivers and pedestrians, will see a real difference.

195 employees (97% of the existing workforce) transferred across to MGWSP - their expertise and local knowledge will be a real asset. 23 new vans and items of plant have been introduced, all bearing the new Northamptonshire CC/MGWSP logo.

23 companies attended the first meeting with key local supply chain partners. The main purpose of the meeting was a health & safety induction to enable work to get going immediately, but we also used the opportunity to obtain feedback about their expectations.

More than 1200 reports have been received from the public relating to issues ranging from footpaths and hedges to traffic signals and road condition. There is an excellent system in place whereby calls are answered and dealt with as quickly as possible, or referred to the relevant body within the county.

Feedback from the public to date has been very positive, which has hopefully given confidence to everyone involved that the change is for the better. We aimed for and have achieved a smooth changeover - now a real difference should start to be seen as this integrated team really gets to work.

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