Resurfacing and surface treatments

Carriageway resurfacing

This usually involves removing and replacing the existing road surface. Though, at times it is possible to lay a new surface on top of an old one.

Generally, 50 to 100mm of the carriageway is planed and new material in one or more layers is laid. This may be much deeper in areas of severe structural failure.

Resurfacing restores the road surface to a new condition, removing surface problems and restoring skid resistance. This is an expensive treatment that often needs extensive road closures.

Surface dressing

This is a quick, relatively low-cost way of improving the condition and skid resistance of a road surface. It involves:

• Spraying bitumen (a tar-like substance) over the road's surface;
• then covering it with a layer of stone chippings.

As the bitumen sets the stone chippings are compacted in by the use of a roller. This process is helped by vehicles travelling on the newly laid surface. Any excess chippings are then swept up.

We regularly inspect our highways to:

• Make sure they are safe;
• monitor their condition;
• and rate of deterioration.

Roads that would be suitable for surface dressing are highlighted throughout the year. They are then included in the surface dressing programme that takes place from May to September the following year.

Advantages of surface dressing

• It has good skid resistance.
• It stops water from seeping into the road foundation and weakening it. (This improves the road's surface and greatly delays the need for a complete rebuild.)
• It is up to ten times cheaper than other methods of restoring road surfaces.
• Traffic can be allowed to run on the new surface almost at once.

Disadvantages of surface dressing

• Works are weather dependant, it is not possible to surface dress roads during wet weather;
• Drivers need to travel slowly on the newly laid surface to prevent chippings from being dislodged.

What we/our contractors will do

• Give advance notice of works to residents and drivers wherever possible.
• Provide advisory and warning signs from when the work starts, to when the road is ready for normal use again.
• Sweep the roads and footpaths to remove the loose chippings
• Make sure that the work is carried out to a high standard
• Minimise hazards and disruption to traffic through the correct use of traffic control.
• Make sure that any complaints are looked in to and appropriate action is taken.

What you can do

• Make sure your vehicle is not left on the road to be treated.
• Try not to invite visitors or arrange for deliveries when work is to take place.
• Keep to the advised speed limit on treated roads.
• Take care not to walk on newly dressed roads until the bitumen has set properly. (Remove outdoor shoes before entering your home.)
• Bitumen can be removed from shoes, wheels and clothing by using turpentine or white spirit.

Footway slurry seal

This is a quick, low-cost treatment.

• It is used to improve the condition/look of footways and prolongs their life.
• It also delays the need for more expensive reconstruction works.

The process involves:

• Spraying the area so that it is clear of weeds.
• Jet washing or cleaning the areas to be treated.
• Lifting of ironworks.
• Making sure that undergrowth is away from footway edges.
• Masking of kerbs and/or ironworks.
• Laying of the material, which is a wet black mixture spread over the footway using brushes and squeegees.
• Sweeping/picking tape up off covers and a general clear up of the site.

If any vegetation overhangs the footway it will need to be cut back before the work starts.

Residents will be informed that slurry sealing is due to take place in their area.

Please note: It is difficult to give exact dates, as work depends on the weather.

Micro asphalt

This is a liquid treatment, similar to slurry sealing that is applied to carriageways, either mechanically or manually and gives:

• Better skid resistance.
• Improved road condition.
• Prevention of water ingress;
• Delay in the need for more costly road repairs.

It is:

• Quick to apply and can be driven on in a short space of time.
• Weather dependent and works will be delayed during wet conditions.