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News & Media > Highway Services

12:07:2010

West Sussex scheme highly commended by ICE

A project to improve a shopping street in Lancing in West Sussex has been highly commended in a top engineering excellence awards scheme.

The scheme involved improving access, visibility, safety and the appearance of North Road in Lancing. The work was carried out by May Gurney, working as part of the West Sussex Highways* alliance.

The scheme was highly commended in the 2010 Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) South Engineering Excellence Awards.

Red tarmac was used to make motorists more aware they were entering a main shopping area and car parking bays were resurfaced in dark grey to make them stand out from the road and pavement areas.

New crossing points, refuge islands and speed reduction measures were also installed to help shoppers cross the road safely and reduce the speed of vehicles.

The scheme involved working in partnership with the local community and businesses, with the aim of enhancing civic pride.

Lionel Barnard, deputy leader of the county council, said: “I am very pleased that this scheme has won the recognition it deserves.

“It is a very good example of how we work with local communities to improve road safety and the general environment.”

The scheme was entered for the ICE award for the management of the resurfacing of the level crossing.

Network Rail set dates to close the railway and the surfacing had to be re-progammed to fit in with their schedule, in order to keep disruption to a minimum. West Sussex Highways carried out the resurfacing on the crossing, on behalf of Network Rail, as an additional element of work.

The scheme is a fine example of alliance working which has saved time, and the co-ordinated efforts Network Rail, West Sussex County Council, designers and contractors resulted in a positive outcome for everyone.

*Footnote: The West Sussex Highways alliance comprises West Sussex County Council, May Gurney and Amey. As part of the alliance May Gurney is delivering value for money, efficiency gains, improved customer satisfaction and key objectives in the 10-year West Sussex Transport Plan. The contract covers highway maintenance and construction services over approximately 4,000kms of roads and pavements across West Sussex.