A �420 MILLION contract to look after Hertfordshire’s roads is going out to tender.

With the current agreement for Hertfordshire Highways ending in 2012, the county council has started the process of procuring a new highways maintenance deal.

In a change to the current set-up (formed of Hertfordshire County Council, AmeyLafarge and Mouchel) the council is looking for a supplier to deal with the routine and recurring maintenance, including emergency repairs, grass cutting and gritting.

Other previous works carried out, such as carriageway maintenance and safety schemes, will be covered by separate contracts which will allow county council to pick a contractor for a job based on price and performance.

Stuart Pile, executive member for highways and transport, said they were exploring “innovative ways of providing highway maintenance”.

He added: “While a good service is vital, getting value for money is equally important. The current economic climate is having a radical effect on the public sector.

“For Hertfordshire County Council, it means trying to maintain the service standards residents expect of us, with significantly reduced budgets.

“In order to meet the challenge, we have embarked on a programme where all areas of the county council are fundamentally rethinking the ways in which they deliver services.

“Our aim is to find a contractor who is able to work with us to provide a stable business and service which clearly exhibits efficiency and value for public money.

“We are sure that the opportunity to apply for this new contract, which will be worth around �30 to �35 million a year, will be of interest to many leading companies in the highways maintenance field.”

The contract will run for 12 years.

Any interested potential bidders should contact 0300 123 4047.