Council to end £250m contract with Balfour Beatty

Herefordshire Council has taken the decision to bring its Public Realm Services contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) to an end in 2026.  

The contractor was initially awarded the £200 million 10-year contract in 2013 which included providing maintenance services to highways, public rights of way, and parks and open spaces, as well as street cleaning and street lighting.  

In December last year, Balfour was subsequently awarded a £54 million two-year extension following a “history of good performance, effective asset management and delivering value for money”.  

The council’s Cabinet Office said its decision to part ways is because the current arrangement does not allow the council to deliver its longer-term requirements and aspirations. 

The local authority added a two-year period for redesign, procurement and planned mobilisation of the new service is already underway.  

Further details of the new contract, scheduled to commence on 1 June 2026, will be published in due course.  

“We are committed to continuing to work closely with BBLP for the duration of our contract to ensure high quality services for local residents, and a smooth transition to the new arrangements,” said the council. 

A Balfour Beatty Living Places spokesperson said: “We are aware that Herefordshire County Council intend to retender the Herefordshire Public Realm contract to allow them to focus on a new operating model.  

“We have enjoyed working alongside the council over the last 11 year to successfully deliver public realm services to benefit local communities and residents across the county and remain committed to delivering these through the current contract until May 2026.” 

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