£3m of road improvements to start this spring to protect against potholes

Road improvements worth £3m are due to begin in the East Riding this spring and summer to help protect against potholes and other damage. 

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is investing the money in its annual surface dressing programme, with 146 stretches of road in the area due to be upgraded as part of the scheme. 

Around 13,000 tonnes of stone chipping will be laid on road surfaces between April and September, from A roads to unclassified routes. 

Surface dressing is used as a quick and economical way of repairing, maintaining and extending the life of a road, and is carried out each year by the council’s own highways maintenance team. 

The work involves spraying hot, sticky bitumen on to the road, spreading chippings on top, and then using a roller to press them in.  

Road sweepers are then used to clear any loose chippings a couple of days later. 

The process actively reduces the risk of potholes forming as it seals the road and stops water from entering and damaging the surface.  

It also greatly improves skid resistance for vehicles. 

Different roads are chosen for surface dressing each year, from those needing the most attention, and the scheme is rotated across the East Riding. 

The process is carried out during the spring and summer months as it requires warmer temperatures for the bitumen and chippings to take effect. 

Councillor Chris Matthews, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: “Surface dressing is always our first line of defence against potholes and other damage, and it plays an important part in protecting the East Riding’s roads for years to come. 

“Thank you in advance to residents and motorists for their patience while we carry out this year’s scheme.” 

Residents and motorists notified in advance 

Signs will be placed on all roads to be surface dressed a week before the work takes place. 

Disruption to traffic will be kept to a minimum, but drivers are asked to respect the 20mph speed limits that will be in place to protect both the travelling public and the council’s workforce. 

Loose chippings are recycled 

After the surfacing dressing is complete, any loose stone chippings left behind won’t go to waste. 

Mechanical road sweepers are used to collect up all the loose chippings, which are then stored. 

Then every two years the council hires a giant industrial washing and grading machine to clean all the loose chippings so they can be recycled and reused on the roads the following year. 

The process recycles more than 7,000 tonnes of chippings and saves around £60,000 of council tax payers’ money.