The new contract will begin on 1 August 2017 and run for five years, with possible extensions of up to five further years.

VolkerHighways will deliver both planned and responsive maintenance, including carriageway and footway resurfacing, winter maintenance, drainage cleansing and road markings.

The business will also work on Medway’s street lighting as well as capital schemes to improve and enhance the council’s existing network.

In addition, VolkerHighways will deliver maintenance and inspections in the Medway Tunnel during overnight possessions, to minimise disruption to the traveling public.

VolkerHighways and Medway have been collaborating on the council’s highway maintenance since 2007.

During this time, around 650,000 square metres of carriageway and 145,000 square metres of footways have been resurfaced and 9,000 emergency response incidents have been completed.

Alistair Thompson, managing director of VolkerHighways said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract which continues our relationship with Medway Council for the next five, and hopefully ten years.”