North Lincolnshire Council undertake a Surface Dressing Programme each year to support the highway infrastructure asset management plan.
Due to the nature of the works, the programme will be carried out via a series of road closures.
This year’s programme has been completed successfully, and we will start a new programme in 2026.
The surface dressing treatments are weather dependent therefore, the dates in the schedule may be subject to change. The schedule will be regularly reviewed/updated to reflect any changes to the works programme.
Please note, no vehicles should be left on the road on the day of the treatment and off-street parking should be utilised and/or vehicles removed from the road until the works are complete.
Surface dressing is a mixture of bitumen with spread stone chippings laid over the existing road surface. The purpose is to seal the surface, improve surface texture and prolong the life of the road. It is a speedy, efficient and economic method of preventative maintenance restoring the road surface by up to 10 years.
Surface dressing can be used on all types of roads.
The treatment is season and weather dependent. It is usually carried out between April and October, and it cannot be applied to wet or cold surfaces. Neither can it be laid during high air humidity levels or very high road surface temperatures.
Roads may require preparation works in advance of a surface dressing treatment. Preparation works include:
Works will usually be carried out in the months leading up to the surface dressing treatment.
On sites where road studs are present, removal works will be undertaken a few days before the dressing is due to commence. This is usually undertaken via a road closure.
Once the road surface is prepared, the road is swept and cleared of any built-up detritus and all ironwork (gullies, covers etc) is covered.
The carriageway is then sprayed with a coating of bitumen, followed by the stone chippings. Depending on the type of surface dressing there may be several layers of bitumen/chippings applied.
The chippings are then rolled into the bitumen. The material will remain wet for anything from 15 minutes to 40 minutes after it has been laid. A temporary speed limit reduction will be in place following the completion.
Once the bitumen has set, the carriageway will be swept to remove any excess chippings. The first sweep will typically take place 24 to 48 hours after the initial process.
3-28 days following the initial treatment, the contractor will return to spray a bitumen emulsion to seal the dressing. The secondary treatment will require a road closure.
On completion of the secondary treatment, road markings will be reinstated deeming all works complete.
Advance warning signs will be erected stating when the work will take place. The signage will be erected at least 10 working days prior to the commencement date and will be regularly updated to reflect any changes to the programme.
Communication via letter will be carried out to all residents and businesses directly affected by the works.
On the day:
Road closures will typically be erected between 7.30am and 6pm, this could be during the week or at the weekend. It is paramount all vehicles are parked off carriageway to avoid causing any delays to the programme.
Pedestrian access to your property will be maintained throughout the works.
Once works are complete, the road closure will be removed, and the carriageway will be re-opened to vehicular traffic.
