Oxfordshire: Widespread pothole prevention road works to begin

The surfaces of almost 100 roads across a county will be improved as part of work to help prevent potholes.

The £7m surface dressing works will involve roads in more than 50 towns and villages across Oxfordshire from 8 April.

Oxfordshire County Council and its contractor Milestone Infrastructure Ltd will carry out the work.

The programme is the largest of its kind to be undertaken in Oxfordshire for over 20 years.

Surface dressing involves applying bituminous emulsion to the road as a binder, followed immediately by the application of chippings to dress the emulsion layer.

The method is quick, and it's hoped it will lead to fewer potholes reappearing and less deterioration of the road surface, according to the council.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council's corporate director for environment and place, said: "We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents and this significant programme of work will help keep many miles of highways in a better condition for years to come."

The work will be carried out using surface dressing

He urged motorists to look out for notifications of the work taking place, and to drive carefully after it has been carried out due to an increased risk while the new chippings 'bed in'.

Richard Lovewell, business director for Milestone's Oxfordshire contract, said: "We're proud to be embarking on Oxfordshire's biggest programme of this kind in 20 years. Surface dressing is one of the best and most cost-efficient and sustainable way to extend the life of our county's roads.

Over £2m of the funding for the scheme comes from the Department for Transport's road resurfacing fund.

Guy Opperman, the government minister responsible for roads, said: "Motorists in Oxfordshire deserve safe, modern and smooth roads they can rely on."

"I'm delighted to see Oxfordshire County Council making good use of the £2.6m government funding we have provided to tackle potholes and keep motorists moving across the county."

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