Kier Highways has been recognised with a key award at this year's Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) conference.

The company won the Safety Innovation Award for the development of conveyor floor lorries for surface dressing.

This project, which was developed in collaboration with Kier, RJ Holbrook and Fruehauf, negates the use of tipper trucks by using a conveyor system to dispense aggregate into the Phoenix Chipping machine; meaning that stopping to reload the chipping machine from a tipping truck is no longer needed.

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Tipper trucks traditionally include risks like overhead cable strikes and work being slowed down due to trucks needing to leave the area to refill the spreading machine. This new technology means the operation will be 25% more efficient in areas with high density of overhead obstructions, resulting in road repairs taking less time.

Following a successful trial at the end of last season Kier has agreed with the supplier and manufacturer to provide a full fleet of these vehicles, phased in over the next two years.

Paddy Kirwan, service director for Kier Surface Treatments Business said: "This RSTA award is excellent recognition for the STB team, who are constantly exploring new ideas to eliminate safety hazards whilst improving the customer experience and increasing productivity."

(CM/JG)