Andy Munns
Beatrice Road in Salisbury has recently had a new surface laid that appears to be failing.
The road has had a new ‘micro asphalt’ topping, which adds a new layer of asphalt to the existing road surface.
However, in some areas, the new topping already appears to be failing, and lumps of it are now at the side of the road.
Residents took to social media, posting photos and videos of what they described as ‘substandard’.
One person commented on Facebook, “It is a terrible job. I have also noticed how poorly it has been done. What a waste of time, effort, and money.”
In the videos and images, the edges of the road topping are seen lifting and falling apart.
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Beatrice Road in Salisbury has been treated with micro asphalt, which is a veneer-type surface that extends the durability of the road but does not remove any existing surface irregularities.
“Once the surface has been laid, it can lose some stone, which is addressed by back sweeping. In urban areas, this treatment is more beneficial than surface dressing because it is more durable.
“However, we would expect this new surface to adhere to the existing road, and we are working with our contractors to establish why this hasn’t happened on Beatrice Road. Once our investigation is complete, if required, we will take action to repair the road to ensure that the surface meets our standards.
“Anyone who spots an issue on Wiltshire’s roads should report it to us using the MyWilts app or by calling us, and we will inspect the issue and take action as required.
“We would strongly advise residents not to damage any of the public highway, as they may be liable to legal action.”
