Central Bedfordshire Council is trialling a new technique to make long-lasting repairs to its roads and footpaths.

The council will use a special hand-applied micro asphalt which will provide a hardwearing road and footpath surface. It is blended using enhanced fibre technology which delays surface deterioration.

The process is quick, with the application taking just a few minutes and the surface is ready for use just a couple of hours after as there is a 30-minute drying time. It requires no excavation, meaning waste is minimal, and it’s more environmentally friendly than traditional repairs.

‘Maintaining our roads and footpaths so they are safe and fit for use is one of our key priorities. We are constantly investigating new ways to carry out road improvements, and trying out innovative technology like this ticks all the boxes,’ said Cllr Ian Dalgarno, executive member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council.

‘It will provide a better long-term repair and helps us minimise disruption for our residents, keeping the road network moving. We are working hard to meet our decarbonisation targets, and this is one example of how our highways service is using innovation to reduce its carbon footprint and work in a more sustainable way.

‘The team is also trialling the use of kinetic, solar, and thermal energy, as well as harvesting rainwater to make the brine solution for use by our gritters and using electric vans for highways inspections. We are really excited to see how this product works on our network and will be analysing the results once the programme is complete.’