Multi-million pound Worcestershire roads improvements completed (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Multi-million pound Worcestershire roads improvements completed

11:20am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News

A MULTI-million pound project to improve the quality and safety of more than 350 roads in Worcestershire - including in Wyre Forest - has been completed.

Worcestershire County Council launched its £3.8 million surface dressing programme - the biggest scheme of its kind in Worcestershire - in April and the final touches were put to the final few miles of highway on the list last month.

In total, more than around 1.78 million square metres of road have been improved.

The improvements, which saw a coat of bitumen sprayed on to surfaces followed by one or more layers of stone chippings, is said by county highways chiefs to be 10 times cheaper than other repair methods and help make deteriorating roads more waterproof which, in turn, restores their skid resistance.

The approach allows repairs to be carried out quicker - minimising traffic disruption - and is said to be an effective way of reducing the risk of potential potholes appearing in the future.

County councillor John Smith, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Despite the great British weather doing its best to conspire against the crews, the project was completed with just a few days delay.

"This is the biggest project of this type we've ever undertaken and things have gone well. More importantly, motorists are now driving on more than 350 roads across Worcestershire that are in a much better condition.”

He added: "Work of this kind allows us to catch road surfaces and make them better before they deteriorate to such a condition when substantial - and more costly repairs - are needed. It's the best solution that offers the greatest value for money for the taxpayer."