Highway engineers need to be open-minded to using the ‘complete’ tool box of solutions as part of their asset management strategies, with different surface treatments offering cost effective and sustainable alternatives, as moe local authorities introduce a more proactive approach as part of their maintenance strategies.

That was the message from Paul Boss, Chief Executive of the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) and Howard Robinson, Managing Director, ASI Solutions, who both spoke as part of this week’s Highways Voices podcast.

Mr Boss said he was ‘dissapointed’ to hear of the expected reduction in capital block funding for maintenance but welcomed the additional money for potholes. He said to help cope with any changes in funding and maintenance programmes, as a result, local authorities should keep preventative surface treatments in their plans. “It is important to remember- it’s not just about the money. If local authorities are using all the tools that they’ve got their disposal, then they can be they can be using those more efficient and more sustainable treatments and actually making the money that they have got go a lot further. What I would say to local authorities is keep your preventative and your surface treatment maintenance in there, because ultimately, that is going to save you much more money in the long run.”