Highways maintenance programme

Surface treatment is a preventative maintenance measure, extending the operational life of roads and delaying the need for high cost major resurfacing and repair works.

Sites are chosen based on that they are in a decent condition and not too far deteriorated to require too much structural work hopefully capturing our network early enough to treat rather than structurally repair.

Treatment works are a simple and highly cost-effective method of repairing the road surface, which can prevent, or delay much more expensive ‘structural’ work being needed.

These treatments are more environmentally friendly than structural works as a repair to a road generally uses the existing road surface with only a thin layer added on top to seal the surface, thereby minimising the use of natural resources i.e, quarrying for aggregate, greater number of required deliveries of materials to site etc. which helps our carbon footprint.

Carriageway treatment works are a weather dependant (so predominantly April to September operations) process and heavy rain or unforeseen circumstances on the site could stop work. If this happens, the site is re-programmed, and information will shared via information boards on-site and where possible on our the website.

Preparation and pre-patching works prior to treatment sites

Patching and preparation programme in advance of and forming the summer’s surface treatment programme of works usually is carried out between January and April prior to the summer treatment season. This is needed to remove any areas of surface that are too far damaged or deteriorated to treat.

Types of treatment typically used:

Retexturing

This involves bringing the existing surface back up to texture to improve its skid resistance and extend the life of the road, also improving road safety.

Surface injection applications

This is a bituminous based spray that is applied to the top of the road surface. It penetrates into the existing cracks within the surface to seal it. This prevents water getting in, which is the main cause of potholes and other road defects.

Surface dressing

The process involves spraying the road with a layer of hot liquid bitumen (known as a binder) and then covering it with loose stone chippings. The dressing is then rolled, which together with the actions of slow-moving traffic, embeds the stone chips into the road surface. It extends the life of the road by 5-10 years.

Surface dressing seals the road surface to prevent water getting in and causing damage like potholes; and, because it provides a hard-wearing surface with good texture, it also has anti skidding properties. Traffic can be allowed to run on the new surface almost immediately, avoiding lengthy closures and disruption. Also, the speed with which it can be laid reduces delays to traffic.

Surface dressing is a weather sensitive process and works can be delayed by both wet, cold and very hot weather. Once laid, the treated road surfaces then require a few months in order to embed properly before the start of winter.

Road sweeping is required to be carried out at various stages in order to remove any remaining excess chippings from the site.

Micro asphalt

This treatment programme is a road maintenance process which involves laying a thin layer over the top of the existing road to seal the surface and restore grip, thereby extending the active lifespan of the road.

Micro asphalt cures quickly and can usually be driven on less than an hour after application. Its ability to reshape and re-profile existing surfaces ensures minor defects are sealed to stop water getting in to cause further damage.

On average, micro asphalt extends the ‘life expectancy’ of a road by five to seven years. It has a much-reduced environmental impact compared to standard resurfacing techniques as it is a non-polluting, cold-applied, zero-emissions material.

Other methods

We are also using new techniques and materials to prolong the life of our road network using ‘carriageway treatment’. Our Highways team is continuously aiming to keep up with new and innovative products by trialling on our network. Surface Treatment works actively reduce our carbon footprint.