Over 100 Derbyshire roads set to be repaired this autumn

More than 100 Derbyshire roads are set to be repaired this autumn as Derbyshire County Council spends £1m on resurfacing works. The programme to “micro-asphalt” a total of 124 residential roads will begin next Wednesday (September 6).

The roads will be mostly residential cul-de-sacs in a host of places including Matlock, Morton, Duffield and Darley Dale. Smaller roads, of which there are around 20, will be worked on first and will have their new surface laid by hand.

The larger roads will have their micro-asphalt machine laid and these road repairs will be started from September 26. The programme will take around two months to finish and is scheduled to be complete by late October.

Works will be delayed however if weather conditions hinder the process, as the weather needs to be dry for it to be laid. It can be done in cooler conditions though, hence autumn being the chosen date.

Micro-asphalt is a liquid mix of stone cement and bitumen that can be used to seal roads and repair potholes. It is applied in two layers over the existing surface in a process that takes just 20 minutes.

The micro-asphalt repair programme is part of a three-year, £120 million pound investment in roads and pavements across Derbyshire by the county council. Residential roads have been chosen for the micro-asphalt treatment because the turning by vehicles can damage and wear away other types of road surface, says the city council.

Residents of the roads that have been chosen will be warned in advance of the works via posted leaflets and warning signs. Drivers using the roads at the times the works are taking place are asked to park on a neighbouring street, avoid any sudden braking or steering manoeuvres on the new surface until it has fully dried, take care at junctions where the Give Way and centre line road markings have been replaced, avoid walking on the surface until it has dried and take extra care driving on the new surface until it has fully dried.

Councillor Charlotte Cupit, cabinet member for highways assets and transport, said: “Our £1 million pound micro-asphalt programme will help us to get weather prepared for the colder, wintry weather by sealing existing road surfaces against the worst of the rain and frost. This is part of our ongoing, three-year, £120 million pound investment in the county’s roads and pavements.

“The process is fast, helping to minimise delays for local road users. We’ve carefully identified the 124 roads for repair, using feedback from residents and our own surveys, to make sure we target our resources in the most effective way.

“The new surfacing will be much smoother and offer improved skid resistance, providing a safety benefit for local road users. I’d like to thank people for their patience while we complete these important repairs.”