Highways Asset Management
Surface dressing
What is Surface Dressing?
Surface Dressing is the application of one or more alternating layers of bitumen and stone chippings to the clean, dry surface of a road.
It is an extremely cost effective way of maintaining a road, significantly cheaper than removal and replacement of the existing road surface. It is suitable for the majority of roads and traffic conditions and is quickly applied, minimising time on site and reducing delays to traffic.
Surface Dressing work in the Bradford district is usually carried out between May and July as the weather needs to be warm and dry to ensure that embedment of the chippings into the road surface is maximised. If it is too cold, chippings will not embed into the surface and if it is too hot the bitumen will not hold the chippings in place. If the existing road surface is wet before application or if heavy rain is forecast shortly after application, Surface Dressing will be ineffective. If wet weather is forecast up to 24 hours before Surface Dressing is due to commence, the work will be rescheduled for a later date within this time period.
What is the difference between Surface Dressing and Resurfacing?
Surface Dressing is a preventative treatment applied to roads that are in relatively good condition but starting to show initial signs of surface deterioration. Further deterioration is therefore halted following application.
Resurfacing is a more extensive (and expensive) structural maintenance treatment undertaken when the road surface has deteriorated to a point where Surface Dressing is no longer suitable. It usually involves the removal of a defective road surface layer and replacement with new. However, in some cases, resurfacing can include the removal of one or more sub-surface layers.
What is the purpose of Surface Dressing?
- It restores skidding resistance to provide a safer running surface
- It seals the road surface to prevent the ingress of water
- It prolongs the life of the road for up to 10 years
How is Surface Dressing applied?
Hot bitumen is sprayed onto the existing surface and chippings are then applied and rolled in. Excess chippings will then be removed by mechanical sweeper.
Some loose chippings will remain on the road surface but the majority of these will become embedded as vehicles drive over the new surface. Any remaining loose chippings will be removed by further sweeping over the next few weeks and after the final sweep, road markings will be replaced.
Why is there a temporary speed limit after Surface Dressing?
A speed limit of 20mph is imposed for a period after application for the following reasons:
- To reduce the potential for vehicle skidding incidents on loose chippings whilst braking and turning
- To reduce the potential for damage to vehicle bodywork and windscreens
- To improve chipping embedment
How will I know if my road is to be surface dressed?
Residents, businesses, etc. affected by Surface Dressing will receive a guidance leaflet from our contractor in advance of the work. On-street information boards will be erected in advance on sign posts or lighting columns giving the dates of when the work is to be carried out. If the work dates need to be changed, the dates on the information boards will be changed accordingly. It is often necessary to close roads completely for the duration of the Surface Dressing work. If this is the case, information will be provided.
If you require access to or egress from your property whilst Surface Dressing work is being carried out on your road, please make contact with a member of the contractor's site team who will be able to assist. Access for emergency services vehicles is maintained at all times during the work.
A full list of streets to be surface dressed in the current financial year appears on our website on the Highway Assets Work Programmes page.
The case for surface dressing
Road Emulsion Association (REA) and Road Surface Treatment Association (RSTA) have joined forces to explain why surface dressing is the solution to reducing potholes.
You can read more about the case for surface dressing