Surface dressing and resurfacing works FAQs
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- Some roads that are in relatively good condition will be treated with preventative maintenance treatments, whilst others requiring much more extensive treatments will be left until treatment can be prioritised for funding.
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- Surface dressing is usually completed at each site within the day. Periodic sweeping continues for approximately one month, followed by the replacement of any lining and cat’s eyes.
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- A surplus of chippings are required as part of the process to provide an even spread of aggregate over the finished mat.
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On average roads are not closed to lay surface dressing. However, access is limited for short periods and on busy roads traffic management is utilised to protect the surface until the initial sweeping.
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Due to the nature of the work involved there will be short periods when access cannot be maintained. Where there is particular access requirements please speak to the gang on site who will usually be able to accommodate people’s needs.
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Signs are usually erected on site at least 7 days prior to works commencing. A leaflet containing further information is also delivered to properties that front the works.
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Warning signs are erected along with 20 mph advisory speed limit signs. As long as these are observed there should be no damage to vehicles.
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We ensure that we fulfil the legal obligations of the highway authority by erecting signs and following procedure. As a result we are protected against claims of this nature.
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If roads did not benefit from preventative surface dressing maintenance they would require replacement three or four times as often. Resurfacing roads causes increased traffic congestion and is much more expensive and time consuming.
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This is dependent upon several factors. Ideally, a new carriageway will be surface dressed three times at intervals of between ten and fifteen years, followed by replacement after a further ten to fifteen years.
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The surface dressing season is from late March or April to September. Works on busier routes does not commence until 9:30am Monday to Friday and is generally completed by 3:30pm. However, due to the nature of these works weather can also play it's part, and may cause works to continue beyond the 3:30pm target.
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Surface dressing involves treating roads which are in relatively good condition with preventative maintenance treatments to maintain their good condition.
Resurfacing is a more extensive structural maintenance treatment which involves removing up to 300mm of a worn out road surface and replacing this with new material.
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It would be much appreciated if you could ensure vehicles are not parked on the road during the day whilst the work is in progress. Should this cause any problems or concerns then please do not hesitate to call the number below or alternatively speak to our construction crew on site to allow arrangements to be put in place.
You can help us by following this advice:
- Please keep children away from the works to ensure their safety.
- Please drive appropriately through the works.
- Check your shoes before entering your property or car to make sure there is no bitumen from the works.
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National guidance recommends avoiding night working to prevent the treatment from failing. This is built on scientific research and industry experience where ambient temperatures and moisture leads to double-breaking of the binder layer thus leading to failure of the treatment.
Night time works are used on some occasions for other surfacing operations that are less susceptible to air temperatures and moisture content to help minimise disruption for the local community. Night time works tend to cost around 50% more so do result in less work being delivered overall.
For more details information about surface dressing, please visit our road surface treatments page.