Three local highway authorities are joining forces in a bid to improve highway services and save money.

Wiltshire County Council is linking up with two other councils to re-tender their contracts for highway services for 2006.

Although each of the councils will end up with a separate contract, by combining their efforts the three authorities hope to substantially reduce the costs of the tendering process.

The total value of the three contracts will be worth in excess of £100 million annually.

The county council hopes the joint tendering venture will save time and money, which can be used for delivering a better service for the county.

The first joint event will be an Industry Day on January 21 for companies who provide highways services.

Wiltshire and Kent county councils will be supporting Cambridgeshire, which will host the attending companies. Following the morning presentations, individual afternoon sessions will give the companies the chance to discuss issues with managers from the highways departments of the three local authorities.

Peter Binley, highway network maintenance manager at Wiltshire County Council, said: "There is pressure on us all to use our limited resources wisely. This initiative will improve the administration controlling these resources to help deliver a better and more cost-effective service. This can only benefit all concerned."

The venue for the event on January 21 will be the Cambridge College of New Hall and companies interested in attending should contact Mr Binley on (01225) 713412 or Steve Dighton of Cambridgeshire County Council on (01223) 717759.