gravel on road?

sithmaster

Hi all can someone explain why the council's / highway agency put gravel down on a section of road, put signs up saying slip hazard max 20mph then a week or 2 later send a road sweeper to get it all up, all for what looks like for no reason?

GwylimT

It's to replace the surface of roads which are gravel chipped, driving on the road imbeds these in the surface, the excess is swept away.

sithmaster

Ok thanks I just seen it as a hazard properly because I'm on a motorbike

Crabman

GwylimT wrote: »

It's to replace the surface of roads which are gravel chipped, driving on the road imbeds these in the surface, the excess is swept away.

I've always wondered, why don't they use a roller to compact the gravel into the surface?

Is there an advantage to allowing traffic to carry out this process?

sithmaster

Crabman wrote: »

Is there an advantage to allowing traffic to carry out this process?

It's cheaper I suppose

GwylimT

Crabman wrote: »

I've always wondered, why don't they use a roller to compact the gravel into the surface?

Is there an advantage to allowing traffic to carry out this process?

I would have thought cost and the road is reopened much sooner.

27col

sithmaster wrote: »

Hi all can someone explain why the council's / highway agency put gravel down on a section of road, put signs up saying slip hazard max 20mph then a week or 2 later send a road sweeper to get it all up, all for what looks like for no reason?

Do you really not know?
They don't just put gravel down. They put tar down first so that there is something for the gravel to adhere to. Then sweep up the surplus.The 20 mph signs are there because of the risk of gravel being thrown up onto windscreens, as much as a precaution against skidding on loose gravel.

System

Crabman wrote: »

I've always wondered, why don't they use a roller to compact the gravel into the surface?

Is there an advantage to allowing traffic to carry out this process?

I would think a road roller would leave a completely flat surface whereas rubber tyures will leave the gravel proud of the tar giving a rougher surface for grip

Crabman

GwylimT wrote: »

I would have thought cost and the road is reopened much sooner.

I ask because a surface dressed road in my area has had to be surface dressed three times in three years. The stone chips became loose over a few months and revealed the ultra smooth surface underneath. Then that surface started to decay leading to deep potholes. Doesn't seem cost effective to me. But I realise they're able to treat many more roads than they would with full reinstatement.

laidbackgjr

The process is called surface dressing - this link gives a decent guide as to why it's done.

http://www.rsta-uk.org/surface-dressing.htm

fannyadams

there's a petition against councils doing this because it IS a HAZARD to two wheeled traffic.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/67408