Under an eight-year deal worth around £225m, Kier will deliver key maintenance works across a 4,172-mile road network.

In a change to the way it delivers services, the council has divided up the existing contract into four separate contracts covering different areas of service delivery.

The aim is to increase efficiency, cost-effectiveness and innovation while being more resilient to climate change with a reduced carbon output.

Kier Transportation put in a successful bid for the largest contract covering term maintenance. It will deliver services from 1 April 2024 when many of the staff currently operating under Milestone Infrastructure will transfer over, ensuring the Council holds on to valuable experience and expertise.

Three other multi-million-pound contracts covering resurfacing, surface dressing, and new assets will also be awarded in due course.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital said: “Kier Transportation met all our key criteria and have some exciting proposals about taking the service further in terms of carbon reduction, efficiency and maximising social value for our communities.

“This is a major refresh of our network maintenance services, something we’d not seen for 27 years, so we are committed to building in resilience to climate change, ensuring a safe, serviceable and sustainable network that is fit for purpose for all users and supports the growth of the local economy.

“Now more than ever it’s vital that we have a financially resilient service that is cost-effective, as well as being flexible and agile, attracting the best people and embracing new technologies to enable innovation.”