WEEKS, a Kent-based engineering and consulting group, has teamed up with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh to create pioneering technologies for the British and European pavement industry.

Pavement technology brings together the specialist materials knowledge of the Advanced Pavement Technology Centre at Heriot-Watt with the commercial expertise in structural design, condition assessment and performance testing of Weeks Pavements. The term "pavements" covers roads, runways, car parks and any paved surface.

The move has been triggered by important changes in the pavement industry across Europe and the urgent need for more investment in technology and research. Phillip Hill, Weeks' chief executive, based at Newnham Court, Maidstone, said: "This is an exciting development for both partners as it allows us to harness each others' respective strengths and resources. In order to bring about change in any industry, it is essential that investment be made in both technology and research.

"We believe that the combination of our commercial and practical experience, together with Heriot-Watt's academic expertise, will deliver enhanced pavement engineering solutions that will challenge traditional specifications for pavement design and add real commercial benefit".

Weeks Group has 95 staff in Maidstone - in the Newnham Court headquarters and Canning Street laboratory - and 70 people in River Walk, Tonbridge. In total, the company employs more than 400 people in eight offices and five laboratories nationwide.