Kier Highways Solutions, the surface treatments and bituminous product manufacturing business which is part of Kier Highways, has been awarded a £1.7m, year-long contract with West Sussex County Council for surface dressing.

Kier will deliver c.500,000sqm of surface dressing across West Sussex using 750t of surface dressing emulsion, which will be manufactured at the Kier-owned bitumen plant in Wymondham, Norfolk. The contract will begin in Summer and will be self-delivered using a seasonal workforce.

As part of the operational delivery, Kier will take delivery of two new custom-built emulsion sprayers to work in the county. The sprayers will be powered using hydrotreated vegetable oil, have low emission engines and electrical heating elements rather than combustion heating, supporting the ambition to reach the Group’s net zero carbon target by 2045.

Lee Draper, Kier Highways Solutions general manager, said: “This is great news for the Solutions team and fits with our growth plans for the business. We look forward to continuing the great relationship that already exists with West Sussex County Council following a successful season in the county in 2021. Our self-delivery offering has proven a first-class service nationally and offers fantastic value for money to our various clients.”

Joy Dennis, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Congratulations to Kier Highways Solutions in winning the contract to deliver this cost-effective method of prolonging the lifespan of suitable roads.

“Our officers work with contractors to explore the use of technology and carbon-saving initiatives such as those used by the company are a vital part of our highways improvements.”

Kier Highways Solutions is the new name for the Surface Treatments Business and Wymondham Plant (formerly Ayton Products) business within Kier Highways. Both Surface Treatments and Ayton have now merged offering a one-stop shop of manufacturing, delivery, and traffic management design service.