A comprehensive program of surface dressing work is set to commence across the borough of Calderdale, aimed at improving the condition of roads in need of surface improvements. This initiative forms part of a wider scheme covering West Yorkshire.
The scheduled maintenance involves the application of bitumen and stone chippings to the road surface, sealing it to enhance water resistance, refining the texture, and significantly extending the road’s lifespan. The chosen approach is lauded for its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and expedited implementation.
Beginning on Wednesday, May 31, the work will initially focus on Brighouse and continue until the end of July. However, the project’s progress may be subject to slight delays due to weather conditions, which strongly influence the viability of this type of undertaking.
The responsibility for executing the maintenance work lies with Kiely Bros., the appointed contractor. To ensure affected residents are well-informed, the contractor will distribute informative leaflets ahead of the commencement of work at each site. Additionally, advance warning signs will be erected, providing a two-day timeframe for the work to be conducted, allowing for some flexibility.
Calderdale Council’s Assistant Director of Strategic Infrastructure, Adrian Gill, commented on the upcoming initiative, stating, “We are about to embark on our annual surface dressing program, addressing roads in the borough that require improvement. This undertaking will significantly enhance the durability of the road surfaces.”
Gill further added, “Given the strong influence of weather conditions on this process, we have scheduled the work during the summer months when the likelihood of weather-related disruption is reduced. We will keep residents updated throughout the process, and appropriate signage will be installed.”
The surface dressing process will involve sweeping each road and covering all ironwork. Subsequently, the road will be sprayed with bitumen and coated with gritstone chippings, which will be rolled into the surface. This process is anticipated to be completed within a few hours.
To ensure complete coverage and sealing of the road, an excess of chippings will be used. As a precautionary measure, motorists are urged to exercise extra caution while the surface settles. Within 48 hours, the road will be swept, and this cleaning process will be repeated two to three times over the following weeks. Road markings will also be reinstated.
During the actual surface dressing operation, on-street parking will be temporarily unavailable. However, access for vehicles and pedestrians to properties will be maintained, although minor delays may occur.
To facilitate the smooth execution of the works, road closures will be enforced on several thoroughfares. The affected areas include Upper Green Lane, Well Green Lane, Laverock Lane, Lightcliffe Road, Garden Road, Bonegate Road, Finkel Street, Lower Finkel Street, Newton Park, and Catherine Slack in Brighouse. Other roads subject to closures are Coley Road and Soaper House Lane in Shelf, A649 Birkby Lane in Bailiff Bridge, New Road, Cross Lane, Mankinholes Bank, and Lumbutts Road in Mankinholes, as well as Whitwell Green Lane in Elland.
The complete list of roads included in this year’s surface dressing program is as follows:
- Upper Green Lane, Brighouse
- Well Green Lane, Brighouse
- Laverock Lane, Brighouse
- Lightcliffe Road, Brighouse
- Garden Road, Brighouse
- Bonegate Road, Brighouse
- Finkel Street, Brighouse
- Lower Finkel Street, Brighouse
- Newton Park, Brighouse
- Catherine Slack, Brighouse
- Coach Road, Brighouse
- Green Lane, Brighouse
- Well Grove, Brighouse
- Sefton Drive, Brighouse
- Sefton Crescent, Brighouse
- Sefton Avenue, Brighouse
- Coley Road, Shelf
- Soaper House Lane, Shelf
- B6114 Saddleworth Road
- A649 Birkby Lane, Bailiff Bridge
- New Road, Mankinholes
- Cross Lane, Mankinholes
- Mankinholes Bank, Mankinholes
- Lumbutts Road, Lumbutts
- Victoria Avenue, Elland
- Park Avenue, Elland
- Whitwell Green Lane, Elland
Motorists and residents are advised to stay informed regarding the progress of the surface dressing work and exercise caution while traveling through affected areas.
