Roads looking set for overhaul in the summer

ROADS across North West Leicestershire will be given a facelift this summer to help reduce the chance of potholes developing. They will cover roads in Measham, Ashby, Acresford, Moira and Appleby Magna.

Leicestershire County Council will carry out this preventative maintenance on the equivalent of 75 football pitches worth of road over the coming months.

Councillor Maggie Wright, deputy cabinet member for highways and transport for North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “Our surface dressing programme is remarkable in the value for money it provides and the improvements to the road networks it offers.

“By taking preventative measures now we can avoid problems on the road in the future, saving the taxpayer money while keeping Leicestershire moving and making our roads safer too.”

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. The process also adds antiskid qualities to the road, increasing 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. It is hoped that all surface dressing will be completed by September.

Any areas that cannot be completed because of the weather will be added to next season’s programme. Residents and businesses will be notified prior to work commencing.

Work locations will include Moira, Measham, Appleby Magna, Appleby Parva and Ashby.