RAC head of policy Simon said: “It's very good news for
drivers that more roads were surface dressed between April and
September this year than in 2023 as this should prevent thousands
of potholes appearing.
“We hope the preventative road maintenance tide has well and
truly turned as last year's surface dressing figure dipped to a
12-year low. The fact so little surface dressing was carried out
last year helps explain why drivers are so angry and frustrated
with potholes, something we've seen very clearly seen in research
for this year's RAC Report on Motoring with 56% of drivers
listing the poor state of local roads as
their number-one motoring concern.
“Surface dressing seals roads from the damaging ingress of water,
extending their lives by preventing potholes appearing in the
first place. Positively, we've also noticed the Government
heeding our call for councils to do more preventative
maintenance. We believe greater use of surface dressing and other
preventative maintenance treatments can finally bring an end
to the degradation of our much-relied-on local roads.”
Original Road Emulsion Association (REA) press
release:
REA figures show road surface dressing volumes have
increased since lowest reported last year
The Road Emulsion Association (REA) has reported an increase in
the manufacturing, sale, and use of bitumen emulsions for surface
dressing since last year, which was the lowest reported volumes
on record.
Figures collected by the REA, a trade association which
represents all the UK bitumen emulsion manufacturers, signify
green shoots of recovery.
Circa 38.5 million m2 of surface dressing was applied over the
surface treatments season in 2024, according to latest REA
industry bitumen emulsion volume information.*
The volumes used during the surface dressing season for 2024 are
9% higher than those recorded over the same period in 2023, when
the REA reported the lowest amount of bitumen emulsion sold since
records began in 1978.
However, this upturn is still significantly below the typical
volume of surface dressing used before the decline that we have
experienced over the last 12 years.
The reduced bitumen emulsion volumes and reduction in surface
dressing carried out by local highway authorities has, in the
view of the REA, contributed considerably to the increase in
potholes across the local highway network.
Kevin Maw, REA consultant and secretary said: “This is
positive news for the highways industry and road users. While we
have a long way to go to get back to the volumes of bitumen
emulsions produced in the years up to 2012 to enable +60 million
m2 per annum of surface dressing, this shows that the trend has
started to turn, which is encouraging.
“We hope this continues. It could be a sign of market recovery
and a change in the focus amongst local highway authorities who
are investing more in preventative maintenance, which is what we
have been calling for as part of our campaign, Futureproofing our local
roads.”
, head of highway operations at
Leicestershire County Council, said: “It's great to see an
increase in the manufacturing and sale of bitumen emulsions
across our industry. But more importantly, I'm encouraged that
more local authorities are adopting and increasing their
application of sustainable, low-carbon preventative maintenance
treatments such as surface dressing.
“It's the most cost-effective way for local authorities to
maintain roads, prevent potholes, improve safety and keep roads
moving. Surface dressing helps improve the condition of our roads
across Leicestershire, saving the council money by proactively
repairing surfaces, which helps to prevent more costly repairs
further down the line.”
*The REA collects this industry data every quarter. All members
report their emulsion volumes, and this is verified independently
by the consultant and secretary of the Association. More bitumen
emulsion is sold in spring and summer as surface dressing is
typically carried out during the warmer and dryer months of April
to September.
Volumes of surface dressing by year
(m2)
- 2012 = 64.4m
- 2013 = 59.2m
- 2014 = 58.6m
- 2015 = 59.9m
- 2016 = 61.2m
- 2017 = 54.1m
- 2018 = 51.5m
- 2019 = 52.8m
- 2020 = 39.3m - pandemic
- 2021 = 43.8m
- 2022 = 36.1m
- 2023 = 35.3m
- 2024 = 38.5m
Ends.
Notes to editors
The Road Emulsion Association represents all UK bitumen emulsion
manufacturers. Established in 1928, the REA aims to influence
policy, share best practice and keep members updated with recent
academic research.
Futureproofing our local roads, is our campaign
advocating for preventative highways maintenance methods such as
surface dressing. You can find out more on the campaign web-page.
