Keeping Buckinghamshire moving with micro-surfacing

In total, an area the size of 12 rugby pitches is being resurfaced. Micro-surfacing provides a cost-effective way to extend the life of a road surface by up to 10 years. It works by sealing the surface, preventing water getting in and slowing down deterioration. The method has additional safety benefits in terms of improving vehicle stopping distance.

Micro-surfacing costs only a quarter of the amount of conventional road resurfacing and takes place regularly across the county. It is one of the many tools that Buckinghamshire Highways uses for cost-effective and sustainable road maintenance and repairs, forming part of the Council’s £105m investment in highways over four years.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This programme is a good example of the planned and proactive approach that we take to maintaining and improving the highways of Buckinghamshire. By finding cost-effective ways to extend the life of our roads we can continue to keep Buckinghamshire moving. At the same time, we are able to respond quickly where repairs are required, prioritising in line with our safety criteria.”

Micro-surfacing involves spraying sticky bitumen onto the existing road surface, then putting a layer of small stone chips on top which are rolled into the surface and which traffic using the road then continues to bed in. At this stage of the work, it requires traffic to drive more slowly over the surface, so signs are put up asking motorists to keep their speed down. After two weeks, the road is inspected, then white lines are repainted and gullies and inspection covers are reset.

Steven continued: “Micro-surfacing works involve a different technique to some of our other roadworks and so we do ask drivers to pay attention to any signs which may ask them to slow down whilst the works are taking place. This helps the resurfaced material to bed in effectively and ensures a longer lasting finish which is both more cost effective and less disruptive for residents in terms of the frequency of works needing to take place.”

For more information about how Buckinghamshire Highways maintains the roads and footways of the county, visit www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/highways