Advanced road maintenance technology is being trialled on one of the county’s busiest roads. 
 

Motorists driving northbound on the A189 between the Three Horseshoes roundabout to Bebside will notice a difference to the road surface as they travel along the stretch. 
 

The improvement to the road surface, road markings and cat eyes is aimed at improving safety and visibility in all conditions. The technique and road marking products used are more environmentally friendly and longer wearing than standard methods and products. 
 

The centre-line road marking has a slightly raised dotted profile marking which gives improved visibility, especially during wet nights in comparison to other road marking products.  
 

The dotted profile on the road marking enables the marking to stand above sitting water to ensure retro-reflection is maintained for drivers.  

It also produces a slight noise when passed over, which can further increase safety. Its surface material has a longer life expectancy compared to previous road marking products and also uses 73% less carbon. 
 

The road surface itself has been retextured using shot blasting to improve the skid resistance. Retexturing the worn surface is vastly cheaper than resurfacing it and is significantly quicker and more environmentally friendly with a much lower carbon footprint. 
 

Waste material is captured by the resurfacing vehicle, taken back to a depot and then sent away for processing before being used to help build new roads. 
 

Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “With such a huge network of road to look after we are always looking at new solutions for our maintenance activities which provide safer, longer lasting treatments, give good value for money and have less impact on the environment. 
 

“Drivers may well feel and see the change of surface as they drive this stretch and we will be closely monitoring the road to see how effective and hard wearing it is before deciding whether this method can be rolled out further.”