PORTSMOUTH HIGHWAYS MANAGEMENT PFI CONTRACT

Delivering long-term, sustainable highways for an island city

The Portsmouth Highways Management PFI Contract was the first of its kind in the UK, setting a new standard for the delivery of highway maintenance and management services. Commencing in July 2004, the contract is delivered by Colas on behalf of Portsmouth City Council (PCC) and provides full fence-to-fence responsibility for the management, maintenance and improvement of the city’s entire highway network.

Now in its 20th year of a 25-year term, the contract has matured into its long-term maintenance and lifecycle replacement phase, building on the foundations laid during the Core Investment Period to ensure Portsmouth’s roads remain safe, resilient and fit for the future.

A successful long-term partnership

A major early milestone was achieved in June 2009, when the Core Investment Period (CIP) was completed on time and to specification. This transformational phase significantly improved the condition of the city’s roads, footways and structures, addressing years of underinvestment and setting a stable baseline for long-term asset management.

Since then, the focus has been on maintaining performance, managing lifecycle risk and delivering value for money throughout the remainder of the contract.

Managing highways in a unique urban environment

Portsmouth presents a distinctive operational challenge. As the most densely populated city in the UK outside Inner London, even minor highway works can have a noticeable impact on residents, businesses and commuters.

As an island city, Portsmouth depends on three critical mainland connections to support its economy and communities. Colas holds full responsibility for the A3 and A2030, and shares responsibility for the M275 in partnership with the Area 3 MAC provider. These strategic routes are vital for day-to-day travel, freight movements and emergency access.

The long-term nature of the PFI contract has enabled Colas to become a trusted part of the local community, working closely with PCC and stakeholders to understand local priorities and minimise disruption wherever possible.

Transforming a legacy of poor road condition

Before the contract began in 2004, Portsmouth’s highway network was widely recognised as being among the worst in the country. In response, PCC undertook a Best Value Asset Management Review, leading to the decision to adopt a whole-life asset management approach to highways service delivery.

This forward-thinking strategy focused on long-term outcomes rather than short-term fixes, with fence-to-fence maintenance at its core. The result was a more efficient, customer-focused service designed to maximise asset life and reduce future risk.

Investing in asset management excellence

The PFI procurement process included an extensive programme of detailed highway surveys and asset condition assessments. To support this, the Colas Group invested heavily in the development of asset management tools, techniques and expertise, enabling robust data analysis, lifecycle planning and whole-life costing.

This systematic and evidence-based approach has continued to evolve throughout the contract, supporting informed decision-making and consistent performance. In 2019, this commitment to best practice was formally recognised with the achievement of ISO 55001 accreditation, demonstrating excellence in asset management at an international standard.

Building resilient highways for the future

As the contract continues, Colas remains focused on delivering a safe, reliable and sustainable highway network for Portsmouth, ensuring the city’s infrastructure continues to support economic growth, social wellbeing and environmental responsibility for years to come.