Highways contracts deliver £33 million in savings for Norfolk

Norfolk County Council's highways contracts have delivered over £33 million in savings as well as making huge steps in reducing the Council's carbon emissions.

A new performance report due to be presented to the Council's Infrastructure and Development Select Committee sets out how proactive contract management and a focus on innovation have led to:

• £25.7 million saved through the county-wide switch to LED streetlighting, cutting energy use and reducing CO₂ emissions by nearly 30,000 tonnes.
• £2.97 million in absorbed costs by Norse Highways, allowing more local schemes to be delivered without extra taxpayer funding.
• £4.18 million in innovation savings across all contracts, including smarter materials, better planning, and reduced waste.
• Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said; "These contracts are not just about maintaining roads—they're about delivering smarter, greener, and more cost-effective services for Norfolk's residents. We're ambitious for Norfolk, and the savings we've achieved mean we can reinvest in more local schemes, while also reducing our carbon footprint."

Some key efficiencies from the report include:

• Tarmac's recycling plant in Mangreen produced 5,225 tonnes of recycled aggregate, reducing haulage and emissions.
• Swarco's smart traffic signal system saved over £284,000 by enabling real-time fault detection and faster repairs.
• Norse Highways' winter gritting service completed 85.8% of routes within the 3-hour target, keeping roads safe during severe weather.

With three of the current contracts set to expire in 2026, Norfolk County Council is already preparing for the next generation of highways services. The re-procurement process is underway, with a continued focus on value for money, innovation, and sustainability. New contracts will come into force on 1 April 2026.

Full details can be found in the Infrastructure and Development Select Committee papers.