Time saving skid resisting road surface on major road

This strategically important Trans-Pennine route from the M1 to Manchester, was in need of resurfacing as part of schedules programmes of work. The 16km stretch of single lane carried high traffic volumes and a mix of road users from HGV’s and caravan owners to cyclists. It included hazardous section of road with high skid risk. The work would need to be completed within a limited time window, to coincide with planned emergency repairs to the culvert at Crowden. A conventional approach with surface course and separate high friction surface would involve multiple closures and extended delays.

After extensive collaboration with the client, Tarmac proposed ULTIGRIP their durable, long lasting, high skid resisting, bauxite thin surface course. ULTIGRIP is laid like a conventional asphalt in a single layer as a combined surface course and skid resisting surface. This means that work can be completed in one go, saving time compared to conventional high friction surfaces which are added as a separate process after surfacing work has been completed. The integrated single layer also prevents delamination which can be a problem with conventional high friction surfaces.

Surfacing work was completed as planned, within a single weekend in August, including 660 tonnes of ULTIGRIP laid on the hazardous section of road. As expected there was a significant reduction in programme time which meant cost savings for the client and reduced closures for road users. ULTIGRIP has a long term record of use on the UK road network, demonstrating proven durability, which is expected to deliver significant savings in whole life cost on this scheme. The client was impressed by the speed of completion and quality of the work. They commented that they considered this approach to be the way forward for similar resurfacing work in the future.