Luton Council is to double the amount of money spent on fixing potholes as part of its most ambitious multi-million pound programme of highway works ever.
This will include providing new road surfaces and use of sustainable surface treatments that will reduce the number of potholes forming on roads around Luton in the future.
Working with contractor VolkerHighways, who maintain over 480km of Luton’s roads, together, they will fix more than 1560 potholes in this financial year, nearly 600 more than in 2021-22.
This is additional to some of the emergency works we have already undertaken in Mountgrace Road, Albert Road, Latimer Road and Vauxhall Way.
Recent survey results showed that residents consider the condition of Luton’s road as the highest priority when asked for feedback about highways and transportation issues.
The surface treatment programme, delivered by our specialist contractor, RMS, will keep roads in good condition for longer, stopping cracks and potholes and improve skid resistance-making roads safer to travel on.
There are various types of surface treatments and this year we will be using:
Surface Dressing:
Surface dressing is a cost-effective way of restoring the road surface and sealing it in one process. It also helps waterproof the road and improve skid resistance, so it is safer for all vehicles to travel on.
Asphalt Preservation:
Asphalt preservation keeps the roads in better condition for longer. When we spray asphalt preservation on the road, it penetrates into cracks and other inconsistencies, preventing water ingress and stopping potholes from forming on the surface of the road. Asphalt preservation is more than 90% more carbon efficient compared to the more traditional maintenance processes.
Rejuvenation:
Asphalt rejuvenation penetrates the asphalt well below the surface to protect the asphalt binder that is in the surface of the road. It seals the road surface against air, water and chemicals, which extends the effective service life of the pavement.
Micro- asphalt:
Micro-asphalt is a material used to provide a new surface layer to an existing road. It contains bitumen emulsion, fine aggregate, cement and water. It is a surface treatment applied over an existing road surface.
Cllr Javed Hussain, portfolio holder for sustainable development and highways at Luton Borough Council said: “The extra money we are investing in Luton’s roads is a commitment to ensure we repair as many potholes as possible, as well as treating other roads to keep them in better condition for longer and to help stop potholes forming in the first place. Surface treatments are a sustainable and cost-effective way to protect and preserves our roads in the future, meaning we will be spending less on pothole repairs in the future.”
Jerry Pert, Operations Director for VolkerHighways, said: “Our roads are essential to keep us all connected and that is why we are pleased to be working with Luton Borough Council on this important resurfacing programme. Throughout the duration of the works, we will work closely with Luton Borough Council and other stakeholders to minimise disruption to the local community and ensure ample notice is given to affected residents.”
