Extending the life of our roads by surface dressing
Our annual round of work starts in late April to maintain rural and residential roads.
Using a process called surface dressing, we can extend the life of these roads by providing a waterproof seal. It is a quick process, taking place between the hours of 5am and 6pm. It is a vital part of our annual road maintenance programme, and typically lasts around 10 years.
Letters are sent to those affected, including households, farms, schools and businesses. This includes advice on road closures, suspension of on-street parking and any diversions during these hours.
Works planned for week commencing 29 April
Oakley Lane, Farnham, Blandford Forum
Various roads, Gussage All Saints/Wimborne St Giles
Works planned for week commencing 6 May
Verwood Road, Woodlands, Verwood
Abbott Street to Cowgrove Road, Pamphill
Gainsborough Road, Ashley Heath
New Road to Service Road, West Parley
Further sites will be communicated once work has been confirmed. In the meantime, see all forthcoming roadworks in the Dorset Council area on our map.
To report an issue on the highway, please use our online form.
To report hazards, obstructions and dangerous situations which could cause injury or damage, call our 24 hours highways line
About surface dressing
It is a quick process, with bitumen binder (a sticky tar like substance) sprayed onto the road. This seals the road against water damage. Stone chippings are spread on to restore grip and these are compacted with a roller.
Drivers can travel on the road as soon as the work is finished, with slow moving vehicles helping to further embed the stone chippings.
A sweeper travels along the road within 48 hours to clear any immediate surplus stone. Line markings are reinstated shortly afterwards.
Surface dressing relies on the evaporation of water from the bitumen binder for it to set, so it can only be carried out in dry weather.
As the work is highly weather dependent, residents are asked to look out for yellow advance warning signs in their area providing the most accurate information.
Work cannot take place at night due to the necessary evaporation process and will not be carried out at weekends or on Bank Holidays.
We carry out a range of works to repair and prevent damage to our roads, including patching, micro-surfacing, in-situ recycling, road preservation and resurfacing.
Categories: Highways
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