NEW CONTRACTOR ANNOUNCED TO MAINTAIN ROAD NETWORK

A new contractor will be responsible for the maintenance of the county’s roads and pavements from next year. East Sussex County Council has appointed Balfour Beatty Living Places Ltd in a seven-year contract worth £297million, with an option to extend to a maximum of 14 years — worth up to £730 million.

Balfour Beatty Living Places will be responsible for maintaining the county’s highway network and infrastructure, including roads, pavements, drainage, streetlights, traffic lights and bridges. They will also provide winter gritting across the county and deliver highway improvement schemes.

Throughout October colleagues will also be able to take advantage of free meals in the company’s Bexhill and Leicester offices, as well as access to a £200,000 hardship fund. Hastings’ hardship fund supports colleagues experiencing the most acute financial difficulties with confidential, financial help.

Toby van der Meer, Hastings CEO said, “The rise in the cost of living is affecting everyone and the recently proposed tax reforms have created even more uncertainty. In line with our ‘4Cs’ cultural approach, our colleagues are our priority and therefore we’re pleased to announce these measures.

We applaud other organisations that have taken similar measures and would encourage remaining companies to do the same”.