COUNTRY lanes and C roads in the north Cotswolds are among those undergoing works aimed at helping them last longer.
Gloucestershire County Council has embarked a major programme of surface dressings – a preventative treatment to seal and protect roads against wear and tear and bad weather.
The council says the 55 roads being treated are nearing the end of their life but have not yet started to fail and 9 to 17 per cent are classed as poor.
Work is due to begin on the Batsford Road between Moreton and Aston Magna; Station Road, Chipping Campden from the B4035 to Ebrington; Hidcote Road in Hidcote and the B4068 Stow to Buckle Street Road today.
Other works are due to begin next Tuesday on May Lane, between Ebrington and Paxford; Clay Lane in Paxford; Draycott Hill, the B4035 Aston Road from Campden to Aston-sub-Edge; Bakers Hill, Mickleton; Badsey Lane, Willersey; the B4479 Station Road, Blockley; Blockley Hill; and Salters Lane, Winchcombe.
GCC said that the surface dressing work will extend the life of treated roads for up to 10 years, helping improve driving conditions and cut maintenance costs.
However, it points out that the dressings cannot be applied to roads that are badly deteriorated so some of the roads being treated may not be in as poor condition as others in the county.
Councillor Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment, said: “With our budgets stretched we have to make tough decisions on which areas to focus on.
“By investing into the surface dressing programme we are ensuring the roads last longer which is helping to save money in the long run.
“I know some people will see a road that appears to be in a good condition being treated and wonder why we’re not targeting roads that really need work, but surface dressings won’t help in those cases.
“We will continue to resurface the roads that really need it, but these will be done on a priority basis from now on.”
ARTICLE COURTSEY OF THE COTSWOLD JOURNAL - CLICK HERE for their website.
