These improvements will help keep the county moving and maintain the condition of the roads.
The works, known as surface dressing, provide the roads with an additional protective layer by sealing the surface with bitumen and stone chippings. The new layer prevents water and air penetrating the tarmac underneath, preventing potholes, while the stone chippings increase the texture of the road surface. This process improves the resistance to skidding and the chippings increase texture which helps drain away water from the road surface, helping to reduce spray and improving road safety.
The work, which is completed every summer, will be carried out across several months to reduce the impact on motorists. The work is dependent on acceptable road temperatures and dry weather for the process to fully take effect.
The process uses stone chippings that may contain naturally occurring silica. Surface-dressed roads don't typically generate significant, long-term airborne silica dust once laid and swept. While there is generally very little risk to the public, local resuspension of fine stone particles can occur, especially shortly after application or during prolonged dry spells. There is a health and safety requirement to manage the dust which is done by sweeping the roads at regular intervals in line with surface dressing road note 39 (the design guide to surface dressing).
It is hoped that the surface dressing programme will begin in April 2026 and be completed by September 2026 and road users are being thanked for their patience with necessary roadworks.
Any areas that cannot be completed because of the weather will be added to next season’s programme. Residents and businesses will be notified before work starts.
Details of the planned locations that will be treated can be found in the 2026 programme: