DOZENS of Vale roads are set to be resurfaced as part of a multi-million pound project.
Worcestershire County Council’s Highways team started work on the £3.5million county-wide scheme in Evesham on Monday (April 28) and are looking to complete the work by next month, before moving on to Worcester.
A total of 1.2million square metres of carriageway will be surface dressed, which involves spraying on a coating of bitumen to waterproof the roads, followed by one or more layers of stone chippings to restore skid resistance.
Council bosses say the method is ten times more cost effective for the taxpayer, causes minimum traffic disruption as most roads can be resurfaced in a couple of hours, and is less likely to develop potholes.
Once finished, the road can then be driven over with care and any loose chippings on the surface are swept within 24 hours and again after about a week. Road markings are then replaced.
Coun John Smith, county council cabinet member for highways, said: “Surface dressing allows us to catch roads half-way through their lifespan and extend them.
“It’s an excellent preventative maintenance measure that offers good value for the taxpayer, which has been used to successfully improve hundreds of miles of highway in Worcestershire over the last few years.
“One of the big advantages of this method is it can be done quickly thus cutting down on road or lane closures that cause inconvenience to motorists.
“We know from residents and businesses improving our highways is a priority. Over the last few years we have invested more than £50million in projects like this and the situation has improved but we are committed to continuing efforts.
“This winter was the wettest on record and, inevitably, that has meant some of our roads have suffered.”
Anyone who spots a pothole can log onto www.worcestershire.gov.uk/reportit to report it.
The following roads are set to be, or have already been, resurfaced:
Monday, April 28:
Ash Grove, Evesham
Forest Gate, Evesham
Woodlands, Evesham
Davis Road, Evesham
Tuesday, April 29:
Davis Road, Evesham
Ferry Lane/Boat Lane, Offenham
Three Cocks Lane, Offenham
Arrow Lane/Pebworth Road, North Littleton
Wednesday, April 30:
Long Marsdon Road, Pebworth
Mickleton Road, Honeybourne
Thursday, May 1:
Honeybourne to Bretforton, Bretforton
Manor Road, Wickhamford
Friday, May 2:
Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford
Tuesday, May 6:
Elmley Castle to Ashton Underhill, Elmley Castle
Wednesday, May 7:
Kersoe, Hanley Castle
Boston/Yessel Lane, Charlton
Ryden Lane, Charlton
Brook Lane, Charlton
Thursday, May 8:
Crest Hill, Harvington
Badgers Hill, Sheriffs Lench
Thorckmorton to Hill Throckmorton
Friday, May 9:
Wyre Hill, Wyre Piddle
Stonebow Road, Drakes Broughton
Saturday, May 10:
Hill Road, Pirton
Old Lane, Pirton
Allens Hill, Pinvin