Preventative maintenance is extending the life of the existing road surface by preventing pot holes and follows Department for Transport guidance that prevention is better than cure.

Surface treatments are laid directly on top of the existing road without removing the original material.

Micro surfacing

Also referred to as slurry surfacing, micro surfacing is a cost effective treatment that protects the existing road surface with the application of a thin layer of asphalt. After the road is patch repaired, micro surfacing is applied as a quick drying wet slurry and serves to prevent pot holes and helps regulate or smooth out some of the bumpier roads.

This process is commonly used where a surface dressing or carriageway sealing solution is not appropriate. The work is carried out using temporary road closures of 1 to 4 days with parking suspensions in place from 8am to 6pm daily.

This process is weather dependant and the following suggested starts dates are indicative only. Residents will receive a letter with more information shortly.

Details for the 2026 to 2027 programme are scheduled as follows:

• C301 Kinson Road – Columbia Rd to Wimborne Rd (Kinson) - complete
• Talbot Drive (Alderney and Bourne Valley) - complete
• Monkton Crescent (Alderney and Bourne Valley) - complete
• Bridport Road (Alderney and Bourne Valley) - complete
• Encombe Close (Alderney and Bourne Valley) - complete
• Bradstock Close (Alderney and Bourne Valley) - complete
• C340 Walkford Road (Highcliffe and Walkford) - complete
• C341 Chewton Farm Road (Highcliffe and Walkford) - complete
• C303 Sandecoates Road (Canford Cliffs) - complete
• Links Road (Canford Cliffs) - complete
• Tregonwell Road (West Cliff) - complete
• C309 Owl Road & Boscombe Spa Road (Boscombe) - complete
• Northbourne Avenue (Northbourne and Redhill) - complete
• Northbourne Gardens (Northbourne and Redhill) - complete
• Northbourne Place (Northbourne and Redhill) - complete

Surface dressing

Surface dressing is a cost effective means of preventing water penetration, improving skid resistance and arresting the disintegration of the carriageway, typically using a bituminous layer with one or more layers of small stone chippings laid over the top.

The final programme for this can be affected by utility and developer activity.

A substantial programme will be delivered in the coming months, details to be announced shortly.

Details of this year's programme are scheduled as follows (dates to be confirmed):

• Bure Lane (Mudeford) - starting 7th September
• The Runway (Mudeford) - starting 7th September
• Cynthia Road (Newton & Heatherlands) - starting 7th September

A3049 Dorset Way surface dressing scheduling

Phase 1, surface dressing, will take place on the weekend of 5 and 6 September, 7am to 7pm. This will involve full road closures. 20mph temporary speed limit put into force after re-opening.

The dressing will be laid on one section/arm of the road in sequence with each one taking half a day to treat. Specifically:

• Saturday, 5 September AM Holes Bay North R/A to Tower Park (eastbound), Tower Park R/A to Holes Bay North R/A (westbound)
• Sunday 6 September AM Tower Park R/A to Mannings Heath R/A (northbound), Mannings Heath R/A to Tower Park R/A (southbound)

Phase 2, backsweeping, will take place from Monday 7-10 September, 7pm to 5am. These nightworks will involve lane closures. This will be relatively low profile work. The excess loose chippings will be swept away to enable the remainder to be embedded by passing traffic.

Phase 3, sealing, will take place on the weekend of 12 and 13 September, 9.30am to 4pm. This will involve lane closures. Application of bitumen sealant from a tanker, much in the same way as the asphalt preservation is carried out, very similar material designed to stick everything down.

Phase 4, the reinstatement of road markings, roadstuds and cats eyes, will take place between Tuesday 15 and Sunday 21 September, 9pm to 6am. Night works. 

Asphalt preservation

A quick, cost effective method of preventative maintenance by extending the lifespan of the existing road surface by enriching the asphalt and preventing water ingress.

The material sets rapidly in all but the very warmest weather conditions and the process is normally completed within hours.

This year’s programme has been scheduled to deliver across the following sites:

• C322/850 Herbert Avenue (Parkstone) - complete
• B3369 Sandbanks Road, from Park Rd to Pottery Rd junctions (Lilliput) - complete
• A341 Magna Road (Bearwood) - complete
• A341 Queen Anne Drive (Wimborne) - complete
• Chandos Avenue (Wallisdown) - complete
• Heathfield Avenue (Wallisdown) - complete
• Langside Avenue (Wallisdown) - complete
• Julyan Avenue (Wallisdown) - complete

Drainage improvements

Schemes to help alleviate surface water flooding on the highway, various sites involving investigation and mitigation measures if appropriate. Funding for these schemes is under extreme pressure and can result in a very long waiting period before implementation.

All cases are assessed individually with priority given to those considered to be at greatest risk. We are only responsible for the maintenance of it's highways drainage assets and not responsible for protecting private property.