Answers to common questions about how we maintain Bury's roads
We spend millions of pounds each year on resurfacing, preventative surface treatments and filling potholes across the Bury borough, ranging from unclassified rural roads to town centre roads to main ‘A’ roads.
More information: Highway funding and priorities.
Resurfacing is a vital part of highways maintenance. It improves the long-term condition of roads, helps to prevent structural problems in the future, and means not as much time is required on smaller repairs, eg filling in potholes.
Resurfacing is necessary when a surface dressing treatment is not appropriate because the road has deteriorated significantly.
This decision is made considering the treatment required now with the likely future treatments. While costs are important, the whole-life impacts on disruption, the environment and the lifespan of the treatment are considered.
Typically, only the top 50mm of the road is maintained, either by removing material first before reinstating with a new layer or overlaying the existing surface with the new layer. When the structure of the road is insufficient, the lower layers of the road also require replacing, but this is seldom required.
Like all councils, we have limited funds, and we can’t fix all road defects at the same time. Our £30 million extra investment in our roads is gradually improving their quality, but prioritising road repairs is still essential.
Road defects that are a threat to safety are always prioritised first. Lower risk repairs are prioritised based on the type of road, the size of the defect, position in the road, number of highway users, and whether we already plan to fix the issue as part of an improvement or preventative maintenance scheme.
We plan to carry out as much resurfacing as possible during the warmer months. Surface dressing is carried out between mid-April and late-August as it can only be done in warm, dry weather.
A road closure is required in most cases to help ensure the safety of road users and those carrying out the works. To minimise disruption to highway users, these works can, on occasion, be carried out overnight and at weekends.
School holidays and local events are considered when work is planned and programmed.
A new asphalt layer should last 10-20 years dependent on the volumes of traffic using the road.
Highway resurfacing is a maintenance treatment that replaces the old road surface with a new surface at the same level. It removes potholes and lasts at least 15 years. The process involves removing the old surface, cleaning the planed surface and applying a new asphalt layer with a paving machine. The road is then rolled to achieve a smooth, strong surface.
Road condition surveys are continually carried out on our carriageway. Depending on the road type and condition, some roads (particularly residential roads) will be treated with preventative maintenance treatments such as micro-asphalt. Others may require much more extensive treatments and will be left until treatment can be prioritised for funding.
Micro-asphalt surfacing is a preventative maintenance treatment which helps seal and protect the road surface. Micro-asphalt is a material used to provide a new surface layer to an existing road. It contains bitumen emulsion, fine aggregate, cement and water. It is a surface treatment applied over an existing road surface.
Where roads are in a reasonable condition, we may choose to apply a micro-asphalt surfacing treatment. This method differs from resurfacing which removes and replaces the old surface.
Micro-asphalt surfacing is a way of extending the life of the road by applying a new top layer which seals out water. It consists of a thin layer of bitumen, fine graded aggregates and a filler which is pre-mixed and applied cold. The depth of the treatment depends on the condition of the road at the time. The new surface may appear rough after it is laid but will settle within a short time and our workforce will return after the works to sweep any loose stones from the surface. The new surface coating improves grip and creates a new waterproof top layer.
- The road is closed to vehicles using traffic management such as signs and cones (pedestrian access is unaffected).
- Ironworks are taped such as drains and manhole covers.
- The road is swept to remove debris.
- The micro-asphalt base coat is laid directly onto the road (using specialist machinery).
- A second coat of micro-asphalt is laid on top of the first, usually on the same day as the base coat.
- The tape used to mask ironworks is removed.
- Signs are erected warning road users to take care until road markings can be reinstated.
- Traffic management such as signs and cones are removed and the road is reopened to vehicles.
Please note:
- The micro-asphalt layers typically take between 15 and 30 minutes to dry and this is dependent upon temperature and humidity.
- The new surface can generally be driven on within 30 minutes of completion of application.
Yes. Additional works take place on the road in the days and weeks following the micro-asphalt surfacing.
- Within one week: The road is swept to remove loose stone.
- Within two to four weeks: Ironworks that are lower than the new surface are raised to the correct level (any left covered by the new surface will be uncovered and raised).
- Within one month: Road markings that were on the road prior to the laying of the new road surface will be re-marked.
Please note: Timescales may vary due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
Surface dressing is one of the ways Bury’s roads are maintained. This involves treating the road surface to prevent it from getting worse. It involves the application of bitumen and then chippings onto the existing road surface.
Surface dressing is a preventative treatment which seals the surface of the road to prevent water damage, making the road safer by improving surface texture and prolonging the life of the road.
It is a quick, efficient and cost-effective method which involves spraying the road with bitumen, followed by a layer of stone chippings which are pressed into the road surface by a roller. This is usually undertaken between April and August because the process requires warm, dry weather to allow the dressing to become established.
It is a simple and highly cost-effective maintenance method which can prevent much more expensive work being required later on, and it allows us to maintain a high-quality road network on a limited budget.
Surface dressing must be planned in two stages. Firstly, the road is improved through patching and other minor repairs. Later, often the following year, the surface dressing is done.
The surface dressing process is very weather dependent. The treatment cannot be applied to wet or cold roads or during high air humidity levels or very high road temperatures.
- The road is swept and cleared in preparation.
- Bitumen is spread across the full width of the road.
- Chippings are spread over the bitumen and embedded using a roller (after the road has reopened, the movement of traffic also helps the chippings to embed).
- Initially, traffic signs will be left in place advising of the risk of loose chippings and showing an advisory speed limit.
- Surplus chippings are removed by a suction sweeper, usually within 24 to 48 hours after the work.
- A second application of bitumen may then be applied within seven days
- Depending on traffic levels, further sweeping may be necessary if there is continued stone loss. It can take up to six months for the chippings to embed and for the road to reach its finished state.
- All road marking will be reinstated by our road markings contractor; however, we do wait a few weeks before reapplying the markings to ensure the new surface has sufficiently bedded in and no further sweeping is required.
- When the chippings are embedded and no longer loose, any temporary signage will be removed from site.
When surface treatment works are planned, notices will be erected along the road to let residents know when the works are expected to start. When work is due to start, vehicles should not be parked on the road or footway.
- When the work gets underway, traffic control measures will be in place to ensure everyone's safety.
- Surface treatment dressing works will usually be carried out between 8am and 6pm and on-street parking will not be permitted during these times.
- The material will remain wet for between 15 and 40 minutes after it has been laid, depending on the temperature and humidity (the surface should not be driven or walked over until the surface chippings have been spread).
- Vehicular access to properties will be possible for most of the time, but there may be delays while the work is either in progress or immediately after the material has been laid.
- Drivers should take extra care and travel slowly when travelling on a road with a new surface dressing.
- Pedestrian access to properties will be maintained throughout the works.
- Our workforce will be happy to help if you require any assistance.
Please note:
- For a short time, particularly if the weather is warm, there may be small areas of bitumen that are still soft.
- If you must walk on the new surface, please take care and check your shoes before entering your house or getting into your car. Pets should also be checked.
Surface dressing is a preventative maintenance treatment that is best used before a road deteriorates significantly. It may look like we're spending money on perfectly adequate roads while there are roads in a poor condition, but we're doing these treatments to keep the roads in a good condition for much longer.
- It seals the road surface which prevents water getting into the underlying road structure.
- It slows the deterioration of the road surface and underlying road structure.
- It restores skid resistance to the road surface.
- It helps to reduce spray caused by vehicles travelling on wet road surfaces.
- The rapid speed of the process means that disruption to road users, local businesses and emergency services is minimised.
- It can extend the life of the road considerably, maximising the cost-effectiveness of limited highway maintenance funds.
We would typically expect a surface dressing to last for ten years. On less busy roads, surface dressing can last much longer.
Undertaking preventative maintenance such as micro-asphalt and surface dressing before roads deteriorate is one of the best measures to reduce the impact on the environment.
Maintaining roads at the correct time minimises the amount of work needed, as well as the costs and the environmental impact.