Surface dressing and resurfacing works FAQs
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Roads are chosen for surface dressing before they deteriorate too far and require more costly reconstruction. This type of treatment extends the life of the existing road.
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Surface dressing is a mobile activity and is usually completed at each site within the day. Periodic sweeping and adjustment to ironwork may be required after treatment and can continue for approximately one month.
Other treatments require a two-stage application and will be carried out within a few days of each other.
Following completion road markings and cat’s eyes are replaced.
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For surface dressing a surplus of chippings are required as part of the initial process to provide an even spread of aggregate over the finished mat. Periodic sweeping will be undertaken after treatment and can continue for approximately one month.
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Not all roads are closed to lay surface dressing and work may be completed under temporary traffic control. However, for the safety of the workforce many roads will need to be closed to complete this work. If a road closure is required, an alternative route will be signed. Access may be limited for short periods as the works passes individual accesses.
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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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All sites are advertised on the County Council website in advance. 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 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. This helps protect 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 generally from late March or early April to September. In order to minimise the length of disruption, work is carried out during daylight hours so that the programme can be completed in the shortest time possible.
All preventative treatments are weather dependant and require dry conditions and the avoidance of extreme hot or cold temperatures. In the event of these conditions, works may be delayed, and treatment date affected.
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Surface dressing involves treating roads which are in relatively good condition to prevent further deterioration and extend the life of the road.
Resurfacing is a far more disruptive and expensive treatment which involves removing up to 300mm of a worn-out road surface and replacing this with new material.
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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.
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We request that you 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 speak to our team 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, adhere to temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management operatives.
- Check your shoes before entering your property or car to make sure there is no bitumen from the works.
For more details information about surface dressing, please visit our road surface treatments page.