Surface Dressing

One of the ways we maintain our roads is by surface dressing.

This seals seal the surface of the road to prevent water damage, improves surface texture and prolongs the life of the road.

It is a quick, efficient and economic method of road maintenance, usually undertaken between May and August.

Notices will be erected in the road stating when the work will start.

Please do not leave your car parked on the road or footways when the work is due to start.

At the start of the work, traffic control measures will be put in place to the safety of our staff.

The surface dressing process is very weather dependent and cannot be applied to wet or cold roads or during high air humidity levels or very high road temperatures.

The process followed is:

1. the road is swept and cleared
2. bitumen is spread across the width of the road
3. chips are spread on the road
4. the chippings are embedded using a roller - the movement of traffic also helps the material to embed
5. following completion of the work there will be some stone loss - this will be removed by a suction sweeper in stages with the first sweep normally taking place one or two days after the initial process
6. traffic signs will be left in place advising of the risk of loose chippings and showing an advisory speed limit
7. when there is no further loss of chippings, temporary signage will be removed
8. further sweeping may be necessary if there is continued stone loss

Depending on traffic flows, it can take up to six months for the road to reach its finished state.

Generally, work will be carried out between 8am and 6pm.

There will be no on street parking during these times.

Vehicle access to properties will be possible most of the time during the works, but you may experience delays while the work is either in progress or immediately after the material has been laid.

Please drive slowly whilst travelling through the site. This is to protect our employees and your vehicle.

Pedestrian access to properties will be maintained throughout the works.

Our employees on site will be happy to help if you need assistance.

The material will remain wet for between 15 and 40 minutes after it has been laid, depending on the temperature and humidity.

Please do not drive or walk over roads sprayed with bitumen emulsion until the surface chippings have been spread.

For a short time, particularly if the weather is warm, there may be small areas of bitumen that are still soft. Please take care. If you have to walk on the new surface please check your shoes before entering the house or getting into your car. Pets should also be checked for any sticking bitumen.

For further details on the surface dressing application process please watch the 'Road Surface Treatment Association' information video