The awards follow Kier’s renewal of Area 13, which is now being managed under the new Highways England regime of direct client management.

Amey secured the five-year asset support contract for Area 6 in August 2013 and the Area 8 in October 2013. But Highways England revealed earlier this month that the contract period was being cut-short by 18 months by mutual agreement.

Kier this morning said final negotiations were underway to secure a two-year contract to provide maintenance services on Areas 6 and 8, covering East Anglia and the East of England. This new two-year contract is expected to commence on 1 April 2017.

Kier Group’s chief executive, Haydn Mursell, said: “These awards reflect Kier’s ability to tailor its services to Highways England’s evolving delivery model, as well as maintain the group’s leadership in the growing UK highways management and maintenance market. We look forward to working with the Highways England team.”