The Midlands Highway Alliance (MHA), an EM IEP sponsored project, has scooped two prestigious awards at the industry-esteemed Highways Magazine Awards on 20 October.

The money-saving partnership walked away with first prize in the Highways  Contractor Partnership category and the judges were so impressed with the work and efficiencies achieved by the MHA that they went on to award a ‘special merit award' for submitting the best entry overall, citing the excellent example of collaborative working and evident long-term savings made by the partnership.

The MHA involves four private contractors - Bam Nuttall, Ringway and the partnerships between Balfour Beatty & Birse and Tarmac & Carillion - who work together to deliver highway and transport schemes around the region, such as the new Enderby Park and Ride and Foxhunter roundabout in Leicestershire.

Matthew Lugg, Chair of the MHA said: "There are clear benefits to collaborative working with other authorities, where feasible. The MHA has so far delivered a number of crucial schemes from Peterborough in the East up to Staffordshire in the West.

"So far, the MHA has achieved £12.2 million of efficiency savings across the region. As well as providing excellent value for money, the MHA has just recently started a new construction skills and training academy which will benefit existing employees from both the contractors and local authorities, as well as new staff entering the industry.

"Although in its infancy, we hope the academy will be one of the biggest training success stories in the UK - with any luck we might be reporting on award successes of the academy next year!"

Watch our Driving Collaboration: Midlands Highway Alliance short film at: http://www.eastmidlandsiep.gov.uk/emiep-tv/1/15/

For more information about the Midlands Highway Alliance, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/mha 

Background:
The MHA formed in 2007 and is a collaboration of 13 Midlands-based local authorities plus the Highways Agency, who joined together to make efficiency savings in the procurement of contractors and highway commodities.

The partnership comprises the following authorities:
• Derby City Council
• Nottingham City Council
• Derbyshire County Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council
• Leicester City Council
• Peterborough City Council
• Leicestershire County Council
• Rutland County Council
• Lincolnshire County Council
• Staffordshire County Council
• Milton Keynes Council
• South Derbyshire District Council
• Northamptonshire County Council
• The Highways Agency.

And private contractors:
• Balfour Beatty/Birse
• Bam Nuttall
• Ringway
•Tarmac/Carillion