MORE than 100km of new road surface will be laid by Gloucestershire County Council over the next few months.

The council is starting its £2.2million summer programme of surface dressings, which will cover the size of 69 Kingsholm sized rugby pitches.

Surface dressing is a commonly used, cost effective surface treatment that helps roads last longer and enhances skid resistance which also makes it safer to drive on.

The treatment works by sealing the surface of the road against water and air, which causes damage to the road over time.

The chippings which are added to the bitumen binder provides increased grip, improving the skid resistance of the road surface. Initially, there’s likely to be loose chippings on the roads that are treated, however this will settle after a few weeks.

Motorists are asked to slow down on these roads until the new surface has bedded in and there will be 20mph signs put along some of the routes for drivers to follow.

There are 32 schemes which will be taking place across the county throughout the summer.

The first phase of 17 schemes will start this month and continue throughout July.

The second phase, which includes the remaining 15 schemes, will be scheduled for later this summer.

In the majority of cases, the road will be closed while the works take place, which will usually be for one or two days.

Although the exact programme will be published in advance, the work is weather dependent, so the schedule may need to change at short notice.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “I appreciate this work will cause some disruption but it’ll be worth it when we’ve finished.

“Surface dressing is an extremely important part of our annual programme of road maintenance and it will make a big difference to al road users.

“It’ll help our roads last longer and make them safer to drive on and that’s not possible without the minimal disruption this work will cause.

“I would also ask drivers to follow the speed limits on the road and ensure they drive safely and responsibly.”

The list of sites and weekly programmes will be posted on the council’s website – www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/surfacedressing

The full list of roads that will be treated

Phase 1 (June/July)

• A46 Bath Road CB to Calcot Crossroads

• Tetbury Road, Calcot

• Selsley Road, Kings Stanley

• Bath Road, Frocester

• Routes into Coates

• Buckle Street, Upper Slaughter

• Westington Hill to Chipping Camden

• Frog Furlong Lane, Innsworth

• Wainlodes Lane

• Glasshouse Hill, Longhope

• A4136 Ladygrove to A40 Huntley

• A436 to Brockhill Clump

• A429 Kingsmeadow rdbt to Grove Lane rdbt, Cirencester

• A419 Hospital rdbt to Fire Station rdbt, Cirencester

• B4450 County Boundary through Bledington

• Wyck Rissington to Fosseway

• Gloucester Road, Stratton

Phase 2 (Dates TBC)

• Castle Street, Winchcombe

• Rushley Lane, Winchcombe

• Sudeley to Farmcote

• Hawling Lodge Road

• Naunton Village

• Shipton Oliffe to A40

• Saltway to Coln St. Dennis

• Saltway to Calcot Farm, Coln St. Dennis

• Coln St. Dennis to Calcot

• Lavender Cottage to A417 Duntisbourne

• Kingscote Village and Windmill Lane, Kingscote

• Chastleton Lane, Adlestrop

• Everlands, Cam

• Ryalls Lane, Cambridge

• Madgetts Lane, Tidenham