The decisions behind the roadworks

Regular roadworks are frustrating, particularly when they impact our day-to-day journeys. However, we also want our roads to be well maintained… so our regular journeys run smoother. It’s hard to have one without the other, so we’ve asked Stuart Priest, Highways Maintenance Team Leader at BCP Council, to go through some of the frequently asked questions relating to the works taking place in Christchurch later this month.

Why is this taking three weeks?

This road sees a lot of traffic, all turning, braking and accelerating. This is really hard wearing for road surfaces, and conventional resurfacing materials tend to wear out quickly.

We’re using a specialised grouted asphalt material which is designed for use on high stress roads such as this one. We have to lay the asphalt and then apply a grout over the top to add more strength. While this material is much stronger, it also takes a lot longer to set, so the carriageway has to be closed for longer than we’d usually prefer. However, it will then last much longer, so we can avoid having to create this disruption again for as long as possible.

The same material also has the advantage that it remains completely non-porous and does not wear out in the same way that traditional asphalt does. This is a key requirement for surfacing over bridges, particularly when it’s a steel reinforced concrete structure as is the case over the River Avon. As a result we are using this grouted asphalt at this location too.

We are also making the most of the road closures to do as much as we can and are collaborating with several utility companies to enable them to carry out their works now instead of coming back in the future to dig up the new surface. Routine maintenance is also being carried out so expect to see litter removed, signs refreshed, gullies cleared and so on.

Why can’t this be done at night?

We will be working at night! However the resurfacing material needs time to set and each section takes around 24 hours from start to finish. It’s not like traditional material that only takes an hour or so.

We also can’t restrict it to just one side of the road at a time – it’s very fluid and wants to flow from kerb to kerb.

Why are you doing this now?

There’s never going to be a good time for this resurfacing. There’s only one main A-road into and out of Christchurch and we know closing it will cause disruption to a lot of people. This route is on a summer embargo list so could not be done at that time and similarly it is not advisable to attempt this sort of work in the depths of winter during freezing temperatures.

What about emergency vehicles – how will they get through?

The emergency services have been informed and will make their own plans to get around – this is most likely using Castle Street and/or Purewell.

Why is the diversion route so long? Can I go another way?

Since we’re closing an A-road, the diversion route has to be on A-roads too so it is suitable for all vehicles – including HGVs. Turns out the A35 is the only A-road in this area!

All other routes are open as usual so you are welcome to go another way. However, please don’t use Burley as a shortcut – roads there are for local access only and can’t handle a large amount of traffic.

When are you doing my road?

Chances are, if the condition of your road is bad, we already know about it and it’s on our list for maintenance sometime in the future. We do our best to do as much as possible but we are restricted by time and budget.

Some of the roads coming up next are Seamoor Road in Westbourne, Lake Road in Poole and Hurn Road in Christchurch.

Details of our budgets can be found here.