INNOVATION and new technology will be key to the success of East Sussex’s new highways contractor.

Balfour Beatty Living Places has officially started its seven-year contract for maintaining the county’s roads, pavements, drainage, streetlights, traffic lights and bridges, providing winter gritting and delivering highway improvement schemes.

As part of the £297 million deal, the contractor plans to make full use of the latest technology to monitor activity, track work and find ways to improve the service.

The organisation will work on ways to improve communication with the public, with particular focus on providing good quality services first time.

“We look forward to seeing Balfour Beatty Living Places’ innovations and plans come to fruition,” said Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment. “The organisation has a wealth of experience in highways maintenance and infrastructure projects.

“We know how important the road network is to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and it is vital that any concerns can be easily reported and picked up.

“As well as aligning activities with our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the new contractor will bring further benefits to communities through training, apprenticeships and community events and projects.”

Balfour Beatty Living Places were awarded the highways contract last year after an extensive tendering process where it set out its priorities for East Sussex.

Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places said: “Building on our unparalleled expertise and experience in delivering highways and infrastructure maintenance services across the UK, we now look forward to working alongside East Sussex County Council to provide a best-in-class service for residents and the travelling public alike.

“We will be deploying the latest cutting-edge solutions to create more reliable and safer journeys, and ensure that we leave a lasting, positive legacy for the communities at the heart of our efforts.”

Although the contract officially began on May 1, Balfour Beatty Living Places had been busy behind the scenes to ensure a smooth handover from the previous contractor.  This has included a revamp of the www.eastsussexhighways.com website  where residents can still find out everything they need to know about the highways service, roadworks near them and report problems directly to the team.

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