Surface Dressing Frequently Asked Questions

Surface dressing is a cost-effective way of prolonging the life of Devon’s roads. We spray the existing clean, dry. road surface with a coating of a liquid that acts like a glue for stone chippings . The chippings are then rolled into the liquid, creating a new surface. We will then return to sweep the road to remove loose chippings until the road settles down.

We treat roads between April and September because the process relies on warm, dry weather.  

The method offers many advantages, including: 

• Helping to prevent potholes forming.

• Keeping the top layer of the road sealed.

• Protects the road against frost and water damage.

• Improves skidding resistance which makes the roads safer.

• Extend the life of the road.

• It is cost effective. Roads can be kept in better condition for longer.

The short duration of the process means that disruption to road users, local businesses and emergency services is minimised.   

Yellow advance warning signs will be put up on affected roads before the work is due to start. 

The signs give a 5 day window for starting and competing the work but it is unlikely that works will take place for the whole of that duration. The intention is to start on the earliest date notified. 

Works are typically short duration and less than one day, depending on the length of the road. In addition to main surface dressing works, there is also a programme of sweeping.  

If the weather results in us not being able to carry out these works as planned, we will reschedule. If we need to rearrange the date for your road, we will update https://one.network/ and the yellow information signs. 

We have to close roads to provide enough room for the surface dressing to be carried out safely. Depending on the road width and nature of the site, this may involve a road closure with local diversions and/or ”stop/go” boards.  

Access to properties and businesses within the roadworks site may be available subject to ongoing operations. Our staff are on site to answer questions and to help you get into or out of the roadworks site safely using the right route through our works. However, access to your property may be temporarily unavailable for approximately 15-20 minutes.  

If you have a hospital or doctor’s appointment, please allow extra time for your journey.  

We understand that businesses need to know that customers can still visit. Therefore, where appropriate, we will display information saying ”Businesses open as usual” but for safety reasons there may be a 15 – 20 minute wait.  

On-street parking will be unavailable for the duration of the works. Before the advised start time, please either park your car off the road or, if you need it during the day, move it to a nearby road. This will allow the work to be completed as quickly as possible and disruption to be minimised. If you are having trouble moving your vehicle, please contact the contractor Kiely Bros. If you don’t move your car in advance of the works, we may work with the Police to remove the car to allow the works to safely proceed, although in line with our policies and procedures we will do this as a last resort. 

If you use a regular bus service which travels the road being surface dressed, there may be disruption to this bus route. 

We cannot work overnight as surface dressing relies on the evaporation of water from the liquid for it to set, which requires the warmer temperatures of the daytime, and it needs traffic to travel on the new surface for it to settle it and lock onto the old surface. 

There may be loose chippings still on the road. It takes cars driving on the surface to help the stones bed into the bitumen. This is why there will be a temporary 20mph limit after the work. Travelling at a reduced speed through the newly dressed area will prevent skidding on the loose chippings. 

We will aim to remove excess stones with a suction sweeper within two days of the work. 

There are a few things you can do to help us; 

• Please make sure vehicles are not parked on the road during the day while the work is in progress. 

• Keep children and pets away from the works to ensure their safety. 

• Be patient if there are any traffic delays – we’ll be working as quickly and effectively as we can to minimise disruption. 

• Drive slowly and observe the speed limit signs, particularly during the works and for the first few days after application of the surface dressing. 

• Take care while the works are being carried out which can be dusty and keep away from heavy machinery and hot bitumen. 

• Check your shoes before entering your property or car to make sure there is no bitumen sticking to the soles 

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