Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) has begun its seven-year highway maintenance contract in East Sussex.
The initial £297m deal, awarded in the autumn, has the option for a further seven-year extension based on successful delivery, bringing the potential total value to £730m.
East Sussex County Council said the contractor plans to make full use of the latest technology to monitor activity, track work and find ways to improve the service and will work on ways to improve communication with the public, with particular focus on providing good quality services first time.
Peter Walsh, BBLP; Karl Taylor, E Sussex; Steve Helliwell; Dale Poore, E Sussex; Nicola Blake, BBLP
Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: ‘We look forward to seeing Balfour Beatty Living Places’ innovations and plans come to fruition.
‘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.’
BBLP managing director Steve Helliwell 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.’
The council said that although the contract began on 1 May, BBLP has been busy behind the scenes to ensure a smooth handover from the previous contractor (Costain and Jacobs).
This has included a revamp of the eastsussexhighways.com website, which provides information about the highways service and roadworks and allows residents to report problems.
