The Council is extending its successful partnership with Marlborough Highways with a new seven-year Term Maintenance Contract, starting April 2026, with the option to extend for another seven years.
The new contract means residents and visitors can expect safer, better maintained streets and public spaces all year round. By bringing services together under one provider - including road and footway repairs, street lighting, car parks, traffic management, coastal works, winter gritting, verge maintenance and gully cleaning - the council can coordinate work more effectively and deliver improvements more efficiently.
Marlborough has already delivered major improvements across Southend, including street lighting upgrades, resurfaced roads and pavements, car park enhancements, and accessible public spaces such as the Chalkwell Beach boardwalk and Crowstone Footbridge. These projects show how the partnership improves everyday life for residents and visitors.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: "This new contract is great news for residents. It will keep our streets and public spaces safe, reliable, and easier to use, while creating local jobs and supporting community initiatives. It's also a key step in delivering this administration's ambitious investment programme to improve our highways and public realm.
"Marlborough shares our priorities: delivering social value through council contracts, boosting civic pride, and making it simpler for everyone to move around and enjoy our city."
Matthew Revell, Managing Director of Marlborough Highways, said: "This isn't just about maintaining Southend's infrastructure - it's about supporting the city's future. Building on a partnership of more than a decade, we're bringing fresh investment and expertise to ensure residents benefit from safe, reliable roads and public spaces all year round. Our team is proud to continue delivering the quality and service the city expects."
Valued at up to £15 million per year, the contract reflects the Council's commitment to high‑quality services residents can rely on, supporting civic pride, local employment, community engagement, and a greener, more sustainable Southend‑on‑Sea.
It also gives the council the flexibility to deliver services across a wider footprint under Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), if required in future.