Surface treatments such as asphalt preservation will become even more important as local authorities play their part in ‘building back better’.

This was the opinion of Will Britain, Head of Highways and Traffic Management at Blackpool Council and President of LCRIG. He was speaking as part of a webinar series hosted by LCRIG and delivered by ASI Solutions which considered the importance of early intervention in helping you protect the investments that have already been made in the surface of the road network.

The webinar was exploring how more and more councils are using surface treatments as alternatives to work alongside more traditional methods as early interventions become more important in helping authorities protect roads that are in good condition for longer as part of their overall asset management plans.

Mr Britain said: “Everyone is suffering at the hands of covid as it tightens its grip and although the long-term implications are still unknown to councils they have gone about things with a ‘business as usual ethic’ working with a strong and dedicated supply chain.

“I believe the highways sector will be at the centre of the recovery in the UK and is in a good position to support the government’s ‘build back better’ agenda and I know in particular innovation will be at the centre of economic growth. Asphalt preservation working with ASI Solutions was a no brainer for Blackpool. We want to be a council that encourages innovation and LCRIG is in existence to promote different techniques. We have done some successful trials with Rhinophalt in Blackpool and it was really important for us to find a solution that delivers treatment that keeps our roads in good condition for longer.

“Without the preservation, the process of deterioration would have bene much quicker and savings are significant compared to other more traditional techniques and it can be applied at night so there is minimal disruption, and the road can be open in just a few hours. We endorse this approach and recommend other authorities to consider doing the same. This and other surface treatments techniques should be considered as part of an effective overall asset management plan.”