Road resurfacing

Find out how resurfacing improves roads and about upcoming works that may affect you.

We carry out road resurfacing in Suffolk to maintain the public highway.

This improves the long term condition of roads and means we don't have to spend as much time on smaller repairs, such as filling in potholes.

The 2022 road resurfacing programme. (16 KB) 

To find a specific Town or Parish in the above programme, click Ctrl + F 

Please note that the programme is subject to change due to a range of factors, including bad weather. While the full length of the road may be closed and listed on the programme, the extent of the resurfacing may vary. 

How road resurfacing may affect you

Advance notice boards will be displayed on site showing the date(s) of the proposed works.

  • before the start time of the works parked vehicles should be removed from the road
  • during these dates and times vehicles will not be able to park on the road

We have to close roads to provide enough room for repairs 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 traffic lights or "stop/go" boards.

During the roadworks, vehicles will not be able to park on the road.

Access to properties and businesses within the roadworks site will be available subject to ongoing operations.

Our staff are on site to answer questions and to help you get in or out of the roadworks site safely using the right route through our works.

However, access to your property may be temporarily unavailable for about 15 to 20 minutes (for example, if we are laying a new surface where you need to drive).

We understand that businesses need to know that customers can still visit. So, where appropriate we will display information saying "Business open as usual".

Other services are notified of planned roadworks, for example your local council for bin collections.

Access would immediately be made available to any emergency vehicle.

Road markings and road studs

Road markings are usually replaced once the new road surface has been laid.  However, this is dependent on weather conditions as lining in wet or damp weather can affect the quality of the work.

Please note that we may not replace the lines "like for like".  A number of trials around the country have demonstrated that the removal of some road markings can have a positive effect on road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.  This approach also supports the need for Suffolk Highways to reduce its ongoing maintenance liabilities.

Replacement of the lining and road studs will be made on a road hierarchy basis, this considers the usage of the road and strategic importance within the county network.  For more information on road hierarchies please visit Categories of roads, footways and cycleways

You can find more information on our "Road markings and road studs" page on this website.

 

The road is safe to drive on following resurfacing but reduced speed restriction signs will be displayed.

For your safety and the safety of others, please:

  • keep to the speed limit
  • keep your distance from the vehicle in front
  • avoid turning or braking sharply and do not overtake

This will prevent the new materials being damaged before they have completely set and also help prevent your car from being damaged.

Resurfacing with hot bitumen will last for approximately 10 to 20 years dependent on the volumes of traffic using the road.

Our teams work hard to co-ordinate roadworks to limit the impact on road users and residents as much as possible. However, so we can undertake our essential maintenance and improvement work safely, on time and within budget, sometimes work takes place overnight generally at locations where property numbers are low but traffic levels are high.

Our teams always do their best to undertake the noisiest operations earlier on in the works to try and keep disruptions to a minimum.

During the hot weather, we may undertake these works during the night when temperatures are lower allowing the new surface additional time to cure. 

We identify which roads to repair based on:

  • regular inspections
  • annual surveys using specialist equipment
  • reports from councillors, parish councils and community groups
  • reports from residents – you can report a defect online

We use varying grades of aggregate (for example: sand, gravel, crushed stone) mixed with hot bitumen to replace the existing road surface to provide a smooth, waterproof surface with skid resistant properties.

Read about roadworks in Suffolk, surface dressing and pavement resurfacing to learn about other ways roads are maintained.

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