A MULTI-million pound programme to improve more than 200 miles of road at more than 150 sites across Somerset is now complete – despite the challenges of the English summer.

Surface dressing is a nationally-recognised maintenance technique for sealing a road, improving skid resistance and preventing water getting under the surface. This is crucial to help stop potholes forming.

It works by coating an existing road with bitumen, covering it with stone chippings and then rolling it.

The process is highly weather dependent and works can be delayed by rain or by both high or low temperatures.

Despite this, the 2017 programme has been completed on time.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “Surface dressing will never win any popularity contests because of the way it looks at first with loose chippings – but it is great value for money and provides a number of clear benefits.

“Not only does it improve skid resistance but it also reseals the road to prolong its life by up to 10 years and help stop potholes forming.

“We’ve delivered these benefits to more than 150 sites across Somerset which is fantastic news for road users as winter approaches.”