Surface Dressing
Surface dressing is a process that provides added protection to the carriageway surface (sealing it from water ingress) while also enhancing its skid resistance. This added protection can extend the life of the carriageway surface by up to 10 years.
The process entails spraying the road with bitumen and covering it with stone chippings. The dressing is then rolled, which together with the actions of slow moving traffic, embeds the stone chips into the surface.
Current Programme
Please be aware that scheduled work may be subject to change at short notice as surface dressing is largely weather dependent.
What to Expect
Most roads that are being treated will not be subject to formal road closures, but vehicles will be subject to traffic management including stop/go or convoy working and long delays on some sites should be anticipated. Traffic control is necessary for the safety of road users and that of the workforce.
Mandatory and advisory speed restriction signs and slippery road signs will also be in place and drivers are urged to keep to the signed speed restrictions for safety reasons and in order to prevent damage to their own vehicle or to the newly laid road surface.
In urban areas advisory signs will be erected in advance of the works taking place. We would be grateful if you would refrain from parking on the road from 7am to 6pm on the day of the work. The clearer the road, the quicker the job will be finished.
There will be some loose chippings on the surface for a while following the work. The first sweep of these chippings will generally take place within 48 hours with subsequent sweepings carried out as necessary. Please take extra care during this period, as this is the time that ‘flying’ stone chippings can cause broken windscreens or damaged paintwork on cars. Loose chippings can also create the effect of a slippery road, with an increased risk of vehicles losing control. These problems can be avoided if drivers keep their speed well down, keep a good distance from the vehicle in front and do not attempt to overtake.
Every effort will be made to minimize disruption during the surface dressing process. If you need to gain access to your property at any time during the surface dressing process, please ask a member of staff on site for assistance.
Things to be aware of
During the early life of the surface dressing:
The bitumen used can become soft again during very warm weather.
Bitumen and chippings could be picked up on footwear, wheelchairs, pushchairs, pets’ paws and carried into houses. The removal of bitumen is difficult and may result in
permanent marking on your driveway and internal floors or carpets.
The carriageway is safe to drive on following application of the stone chippings, provided drivers follow the the signed speed restrictions. For your safety and the safety of others, please drive slowly, keep your distance, avoid turning or braking sharply and do not overtake.
Surface Dressing Frequently Asked Questions
Surface dressing is a preventative maintenance treatment. It is typically applied to roads that are still in relatively good condition to seal the surface, improve skid resistance and prevent further deterioration. Applying surface dressing at the right time can significantly extend the life of the road and help avoid the need for more costly repairs or reconstruction in the future.
Surface dressing is one of the most cost-effective ways of preserving roads that are still in reasonable condition. It seals the surface against water penetration, improves skid resistance and helps avoid the need for more extensive and expensive repairs in the future.
Surface dressing can only be successfully applied in warm, dry weather conditions. If temperatures are too low, or the road surface is wet, the bitumen binder may not bond correctly to the existing road surface, which can lead to premature failure of the treatment.
Additional stone chips are deliberately applied to ensure complete coverage of the road surface and prevent bare patches from occurring.
Following treatment, traffic helps embed the chips into the bitumen binder. Any excess material is then removed through sweeping operations. Advisory speed limit signs remain in place until most of the loose chips have been removed.
These reduced speeds help protect the new surface and minimise the risk of damage to vehicles. Depending on traffic levels and weather conditions, additional sweeping may be undertaken where required.
Motorists can help by driving carefully and following the signed speed restrictions during and immediately after the works. This helps protect the new surface and reduces the likelihood of stone chips being displaced.
Residents can assist by ensuring vehicles are not parked within the treatment area. In urban locations, advance notification will normally be provided where possible.
Surface dressing is highly dependent on suitable weather conditions. Although every effort is made to undertake works on the advertised dates, programmes may need to be changed at short notice due to prevailing weather conditions.
Parents and guardians are asked to keep children away from work areas. Surface dressing operations involve large construction vehicles, hot bitumen and moving machinery. Bitumen can also mark clothing, footwear and personal belongings.