Shetland Islands Council will soon begin the summer programme of surface dressing on the Shetland roads network.
Around 70 locations have been identified across the isles for surface dressing, to improve the road surface and protect the road from winter frost damage. In some locations, work is only needed on short sections of road, while at other locations surface dressing will be done on sections over a mile long.
The work at each location will involve sealing the road surface with a layer of bitumen before applying a fresh layer of stone chips, pressed into the road surface. This essential maintenance helps prevent water penetration and freezing, which can over time lead to potholes, and also helps to improve skid resistance for vehicles. The work needs to be done in warmer temperatures during the summer months.
Warning signs of ‘loose chippings’ will be in place at each location during and after work has been completed. Drivers are asked to observe these enforceable speed limits while these signs are in place.
Among the locations with longer sections of road identified for surface dressing this summer are:
- Rompa, near Hoswick
- A970 Foulawick to Valleyfield, near Wethersta
- Lunna Road, near Vidlin
- Little Ayre Road (Muckle Roe Brig)
- B9071 Sand Junction to Semblister
- Bousta Road, Sandness
- Scarvister, near Skeld
- A970 Girlsta, Wadbister to Brunthamarsland
- A971 Brugarth to Strom Junction
- Gott Junction to Tingwall Hall
- Herra Road, Yell
- Lussetter, Yell
Neil Hutcheson, Executive Manager – Roads, said: “Our summer programme of surface dressing will soon get underway, which is an essential part of our annual roads maintenance programme. This work may cause some delays in areas where work is being done and we’d ask drivers to keep their speed down in any areas where stone chips have been laid.”