well done somerset c##ty council

[baz]

From: Baz
Sent: 31 May 2009 14:22
To: Somerset Direct - Generic
Subject: Message sent via the SCC Website
RE: Road resurfacing in Somerset

I've got to say I'm baffled by the decision to lay tar and gravel dressing on some of the major routes through our region. Today I passed sections of the A358 Taunton to Williton, and the A38 M5 J24 to Bridgwater that have been resurfaced using this method.

I understand this type of surface has a very short life span, and is more suited to low use areas, such as housing estates and car parks.

Reasons being the tar heats up in the sun, and releases the gravel which then moves around.

As a driver and motorcyclist, I pay more attention to the state of the roads in the area, and this is a bad, bad move. I'd like to know why you've done this, how much it has cost (against doing a proper job), and importantly, I'd like to know when you are going to do a proper job.

Will it be before or after a road user is killed or seriously injured?

I refer to your email dated 31st May 2009.

Surface dressing is a relatively low cost method of maintenance and is used to waterproof road surfaces that are showing deterioration, prior to the development of potholes or failure of the road structure. The treatment, which also restores the skid resistance of the road, has been used extensively for many years in this country and abroad on all types of road, from minor estate roads to motorways.

The treatment is unpopular with the public but is relatively inexpensive and efficient. Until the dressing has established it is essential that traffic speeds are kept down. Unfortunately, despite warnings signs, some vehicles are driven too fast causing flying chippings, which not only damage the dressing but other vehicles as well. Tight turning, wheel spin or heavy breaking can also cause damage to the new dressing.

The summer months is the correct time to carry out this operation as this will allow the dressing to become embedded before the onset of the winter period.

I am satisfied that the County Council Contractors have applied the dressing in the correct manner and it will achieve its objectives of sealing the porous road surface and improving skid resistance.

I am sure that within a few weeks you will see a satisfactory outcome.

Attached is a leaflet produced by Somerset County Council, explaining in more detail the surface dressing process.

Regards,
Lawrence Hackling
ASSISTANT HIGHWAY SERVICE MANAGER
Sedgemoor Area Highways
Environment Directorate
Dunball Industrial Estate
Dunball, Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 4TP
Tel: 0845 345 9155
countyroads-sedgemoor@somerset.gov.uk
http://www.somerset.gov.uk

[billinom8s]

fairly obvious that guy has never come round the corner on a bike and been welcomed by the site of 2 inches of loose chippings all over the road.

[gazkwak]

preping the bike for llandlow today but will email him monday, and tell him that even traveling through the are at 5 mph it was dangerous and if we didn't stop after the road works and clean our tyres off, the next corner we would of been on our a#ses

[Mervin]

The french have a machine that mixes the tar and chippings together as it lays it, which means no loose chippings and no wasted gravel much better idea i think
merv