FAQs
What is surface dressing?
A layer of liquid bitumen is sprayed onto the road surface to seal it and provide a binder for stone chippings which are then spread on top. The road surface is then rolled to embed the chippings.
What does it do?
Surface Dressing provides enhanced skid resistance, protects against frost damage and prevents water entering the underground road structure. Treating the road in this way avoids expensive resurfacing works and prolongs the life of a road by up to 10 years.
Before surface dressing
Affected roads have recently received preparatory patch repairs to address any existing damage. Before surface dressing is applied, we’ll be removing any road studs (Cats eyes) from the area and replacing with new.
We will then place Advanced Warning Signs showing the dates of the works and ‘no parking’ cones to clearly show where we’ll be working. Please avoid parking in these areas as it will cause a delay.
What happens after dressing?
Excess chippings are usually swept away approximately 24 hours, and 7 days after the works are completed. Sometimes, this may change due to the weather conditions. A third sweep will be carried out if it’s required.
Road markings and associated works will follow, usually within a month. Each activity needs time to cure before the next phase of works can begin. We will inform road users of the follow up works by Advanced Warning Signs on site.
Can it be driven on straight away?
It is safe to drive on a surface dressed road straight after works are completed, and this helps the chippings to bed into the new surface.
Some locations will also receive a Surface Seal treatment following the dressing – this cannot be driven on for around 2 hours after installation and there will be no vehicle access to properties during this time. Affected residents will be notified.
Are the works weather dependant?
These works are extremely weather dependant. If it rains or is too hot, we may be unable to start the work.
Please be advised, during dry periods, this type of work may result in a higher level of dust in the air than usual.
Advisory speed limit
Following Surface Dressing, there will be a temporary 20mph speed limit in place for the safety of road users. Before the final sweep of excess chippings, braking distances and skid resistance will be affected which will be especially dangerous for motorcyclists. Please observe the reduced speed limit and be aware of loose chippings.