The second digital operational control hub has opened its doors at Balfour’s depot in Millbrook, Southampton.

The control centre uses the latest in innovative technologies and systems designed in-house, to provide a single source of visibility to monitor all activities in real-time, track progress of works and enable data-driven decision making to drive further efficiencies across the network.

Steve Helliwell, managing director of Balfour Beatty Living Places said that based on the first year’s performance of the Hertfordshire centre, the new hub in Southampton would drive efficiencies and productivity throughout the city.

In its first year, the Herefordshire control centre has seen over 1,901 emergency responses resolved and 41,544 reactive jobs completed, resulting in a 16% increase in productivity with 61% of reported defects and issues being actioned and completed ahead of schedule.

Comprising of eight 55” screens at Millbrook, the hub allows operational teams to prioritise works based on the location of the vehicles and operatives, capture when work has been completed and intervene where required to keep outstanding work on track.

It also plays a key part in reacting to issues on the network by plotting works in a digital live environment, enabling the effective planning of reactive and emergency works and defect reporting.

Balfour Beatty Living Places will also collate data to inform future decision-making and drive further efficiencies for Southampton City Council.

Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration, said: “It’s inspiring to see our Highways partner Balfour Beatty raising the bar for new technologies.

“The new Control Hub will be a real benefit, not only for Balfour Beatty Living Places but also for residents and visitors to Southampton.

“The increase in productivity will help us to drive efficiencies in our transport improvement schemes, making it more accessible and safer for people to travel around the city.”