Answers to common questions about what to expect during work carried out on the highway
To keep the public, residents and workers safe, roads are closed during working hours and access is restricted.
Where it is safe and possible, access for residents and businesses will be given during the works. There will be times when access cannot be given (for example, when tarmac is being laid or has been freshly laid). Emergency services will always be given access.
This is not possible. Due to the nature of the work involved there will be periods when access cannot be maintained. If you have any specific access requirements, please speak to the site team beforehand and they will be able to assist you.
If the road is on a bus route, bus stops may be closed, and routes diverted.
If a bin collection is due, bins will be emptied before the work starts. All bins must be out by 7am on the day of collection or they may be missed.
During the works it may not be possible for delivery drivers or couriers to access your property.
The machinery used to repair roads is loud but noise from the works will be monitored to ensure noise levels are kept to a minimum.
How long works take will depend on the type of work being carried out and sometimes work can be delayed due to unsuitable weather conditions or due to operational issues.
Surface dressing
- The first application of surface dressing treatment, involving spraying the road with bitumen, spreading the chippings and embedding with a roller, is usually completed within one day. However, these works are weather dependent and work can be delayed due to heavy rain.
- Any date changes will be reflected on the yellow signage displayed on the road.
- A second application of bitumen may be applied within seven days after the loose chippings have been swept. Again, this is usually completed within one day.
Micro-asphalt surfacing
- This type of preventative maintenance is usually completed within one day. However, these works are weather dependent and work can be delayed due to heavy rain.
- Any date changes will be reflected on the yellow signage displayed on the road.
We cannot advise on alternative parking. However, please note that parking is suspended only during working hours (8am-5pm or sometimes 9.30am-3.30pm). Parking outside of these hours is permitted.
We carry out surfacing on multiple roads each day, so it is possible that the work on your street is still to follow. If there are any changes to the programme, the advanced warning signs displayed on site will be updated.
Signs are erected on-site at least seven days prior to works commencing. A letter containing further information is delivered to all properties that are affected by the works. We also publish information on our website and schedule posts on our social media channels.
If a delay occurs, due to weather or unforeseen circumstances, then the advanced warning signs on your street will be updated, advising you about the delay and the change of date.
When we carry out surface dressing, there will be an initial loss of stones while the new surface material settles down. This takes a couple weeks, so the road will initially seem rough and gravelly. The road will be swept a few weeks after the surface treatment, along with raising any low ironworks and replacing any road markings.