If we are resurfacing your road, we will put signs on the road to advise you of when the work is taking place. If our work schedule changes we will change the signs.
Road signs and letters
Our road signs quote the length of time we have been allocated to complete our work. This is between 10 and 15 days. Our letters are more specific, so they will give different days to the road signs.
Delays on planned work
Sometimes the dates we start is different to both our road signs and our letter due to a delay.
If we finish work on a road later than planned, it will delay the start of another road. This means there can be a knock on effect on our future works due to delay.
We provide a working window in our letters sent out 10 days before the work begins. Nearer the time, we use our Streets Ahead X account to inform of our exact start date.
Disruptions
The location dictates when we carry out our work. We will always try to minimise disruption and plan our work accordingly in consultation with Sheffield City Council, but sometimes disruptions occur.
For example:
- if we are working on a busy main road, we usually need to do so at night
- when we are working close to a school, we will start and finish our work in between school drop off and pick up times
- for roads close to hospitals, we may only work at weekends
How our work may impact you
If you live on a cul-de-sac near a road that we are working on, you will be impacted by our need to close the road.
Due to the width of the road, there is insufficient space to work safely and keep half of the road open, so we have to close the entire road.
There will also be machinery and vehicles on the road we are working on. Unfortunately, because of the heavy machinery we use to remove the old surface and lay a new one, it is too dangerous to allow you to use the road.
It is too dangerous to allow road users to access or exit their property whilst we are working on your road.
We cannot complete our work safely if we allow residents to drive through our work site. This is even if you have a disability. We appreciate that this can be very inconvenient, but we provide 10 days’ notice to allow you to make alternative arrangements for appointments and for parking.
Outside of work hours
We will always leave the road clear of our vehicles outside of our working hours. In most cases, we will leave at least one footpath open for pedestrians.
During resurfacing works
When we are in the process of resurfacing roads:
- do not park your vehicle on the part of the road to be treated during working hours
- keep all windows and doors closed if possible to avoid dust that may be produced as part of the planing process
- avoid driving or walking on the surface until it has been compacted and the road has been re-opened
- restrict your speed to a maximum of 5mph through the site during works and beware of ramps, raised manholes and gullies
- speak to the on-site supervisor if you require access to your property for emergencies only
Types of road resurfacing
We use different surface treatments according to the circumstances of each road, such as its condition, how busy the road is and the most efficient treatment for the future. This means that main routes for vehicles and pedestrians are given a higher priority than minor routes.
Road renewal or traditional surfacing
This technique is used when the surface or other layers of a road have deteriorated to a point where it needs to be replaced. The process involves planing off all or some of the existing surface.
The planed area will have the manholes and gullies adjusted and replaced if required. A bitumen spray coat will then be applied, and the new surface laid on top.
The surfacing will consist of either one or two separate layers, depending on the condition of the road underneath. The newly laid surface is then rolled to make sure it is smooth.
Surface dressing
Surface dressing is a process that seals road surface, which improves its texture. It can prolong the life of the road by up to 10 years. It is a speedy, efficient and economic method of preventative maintenance that causes less disruption to traffic and parking.
Sometimes we use surface dressing rather than putting a new surface down. We will do this if your road has been identified as requiring this treatment.
Just like other methods of resurfacing there are several processes involved.
Surface dressing can only be carried out in drier weather and with the correct road temperatures. Therefore, work is typically carried out between April and September.
Reopening roads after surface dressing
It is important to reopen the road as soon as possible as traffic helps to embed the chippings into the road surface, forming a strong interlocking mosaic. This must be at low speed. Traffic signs will be left in place advising of the risk of loose chippings showing an advisory speed limit.
Following completion of the work, there will be loose chippings, which is normal for this process. Any loose chippings will be removed by a suction sweeper in accordance with industry guidelines after phase 3 of the work has been completed.
It is unsafe to drive on the road whilst we are laying hot bitumen and chippings. The process only takes a short time to complete, so you will be able to access your road shortly after we have finished.
Pavement resurfacing
Like roads, pavements are repaired when the surface or sub-surface layers have significantly deteriorated. We use a variety of treatments, from applying a thin surface (such as micro-surfacing) to a full reconstruction.
Traditional surfacing
Just as we do for roads, the surface of the pavement is removed or planed. It is then sprayed with a thin layer of bitumen and the new surface is laid on top and rolled to make sure it is smooth.
Micro-surfacing
Micro-surfacing is used on pavements with minor defects, such as surface cracking, and extends the life of the pavement by sealing out water and creating a new top layer.
Before being treated, the area is cleaned and any weeds are sprayed. We then apply a cold, pre-mixed asphalt dressing which is spread onto the surface by hand. This is the least disruptive option, taking only 1 to 2 hours to complete.