Have you heard about the new ‘anti-ageing cream’ for roads?

27 April 2021

Highways England, in partnership with Total and Tarmac, has developed a new road resurfacing material which is essentially ‘an anti-ageing cream for roads’.

The first road to be treated will be a section of the A43 near Silverstone in Northamptonshire and, although the material has been tested in Total’s laboratories and Tarmac’s Bedfordshire base, as well as sections of road in the Netherlands, this will be the first trial use on a high-traffic road in the UK.

The new material is bound together by a new bitumen – which is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum - that is more resistant to elements such as water, sun and air as it oxidises at a slower pace. It is intended to reduce the need for regular road maintenance. Currently, UK motorways and major A-roads are expected to be resurfaced every 10-12 years due to damage caused by weather and heavy traffic.

Not only could this dramatically reduce maintenance costs, but it could also reduce carbon emissions linked with roadworks. 

Highways England’s chief highways engineer Mike Wilson said, “We’re always looking for innovative ways to help us keep England’s motorways and major A-roads in good condition. The ultimate priority for us is safety so we invest in new technology and materials to keep those using the roads safe.

“Longer lasting roads means fewer roadworks, less disruption for motorists and a more sustainable network for everyone.”

Tarmac’s technical director Brian Kent said, “What we have in this case is essentially an anti-ageing cream for roads – just as these products are designed to reduce and prevent the signs of fine lines and overall ageing of the skin, the new bitumen being trialled on the A43 will protect the road surface.

“It not only has the potential to offer improved value for money to the public purse, but it also contains properties to increase the overall lifespan of roads.”

Total’s market development manager Total Rick Ashton said, “These life-long binders will ultimately lead towards our vision of net zero carbon by 2050 by reducing roadworks, saving manufacturing, transport and installation energy and the associated emissions.”

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