Portsmouth City Council delivers its highway maintenance through a long-term Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with Ensign Highways. This partnership ensures a consistent, whole-life approach to managing the city’s roads, footways, and cycleways. Our strategy is built around proactive asset management, with regular inspections, planned preventative maintenance, and timely repairs forming the core of our delivery model.
We prioritise safety, reliability, and sustainability. Ensign Highways carries out condition surveys annually, using nationally recognised methods to assess the network and inform maintenance planning. This data-driven approach helps us target investment where it’s most needed and avoid costly reactive repairs.
Our maintenance programme includes resurfacing, patching, drainage improvements, and footway upgrades. We also respond to defects quickly to minimise disruption and maintain service levels. The PFI contract includes performance standards that ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
Sustainability is embedded in our approach. We use low-carbon materials and methods wherever possible and aim to reduce waste and emissions across all activities. We also work closely with utility companies and local stakeholders to coordinate works and minimise disruption.
This joined-up, long-term approach allows us to manage our highway assets efficiently and effectively, supporting the city’s wider goals for transport, environment, and community well-being.