CREPELLO wrote:I would ask that surface dressing is done properly. There's a lot that isn't but in the last few weeks I've come across numerous resurfaced roads here in Shropshire that have been noticeably better in quality. There's been a distinct lack of excess chippings and those that have been laid are even.
I too live in Shropshire and a couple of years back I came across a road that had at least 3/4" thickness of chippings in the region that we cyclists use, I was doing 20 mph+ and it was a very close thing, but I stayed on board. The road gang had gone home and left it in that state overnight. Worst of all the potholed bits had been left untouched. I don't think complaining to the authorities does anything, for a start you must find the responsible person, difficult if not impossible.
Typically with cycling it's an issue local to your own area so I wrote a Mr Angry letter to the local paper. Got a defensive reply in print from a retired road engineer telling me I'd got it all wrong. After researching the subject and replying to his letter with specific complaints, all in the public domain, the road I used as my example was miraculously repaired properly, since then I've not come across an instance of overtly dangerous surface dressing. This may be a co-incidence, but I like to think somebody got a wake-up call to ensure the contractors do the job properly, it's supposed to make the road safer, not more dangerous.
For the record my research came up with the following key points:
1) The reason for this process being used is that it's a cost effective way to seal cracks and prevent further frost damage.
2) The machine that does the laying has 13 microprocessor controlled factors to adjust, each of which has to be correct or the result will be second rate
3) Surplus stones are deliberately left because the traffic is part of the process. Too few stones and the binder will appear at the surface and set smooth and slippery, therefore more stones are better than too few
4) Over the following period [weeks/months?] the traffic rolls the aggregate into a stable and settled pattern. Finally I believe a brush truck is sent round to clear away the stones that motor vehicles have helpfully piled into the path of bicycles.
My advice,write to your local paper, a local issue, embarrass local government if they are at fault. [but do expect to have the pi** taken out of you by your mates for being such an anorak]