FIVE local rural roads in Herefordshire are to benefit from a share of a £3.66 million investment of surface dressing in the county.

Herefordshire Council will be investing the allocated funds to improve the county’s C and unclassified road network.

This follows on from a pre-surface dressing patching programme of works that was completed in 2023/24.

The initial phase saw 133,000sq m of Herefordshire’s C and unclassified road network improved while this new phase will allow further extensive improvements across the network.

The roads earmarked for resurfacing include:

● C1234 - Bagwyllydiart near Garway to Pontrilas Court;

● C1234 - Bagwyllydiart Farm to Little Hill Road, Orcop;

● C1294 - C1293 to Court Farm, Kynaston, near Much Marble

● C1289 - The Old Lodge, Much Marcle;

● C1283 - C1280 to Kingstone, Rudhal’ near Ross-on-Wye

A council spokesperson said: “Surface dressing is an important part of the county’s road maintenance programme and is used to prolong the life of roads across the county.

“The process involves applying a layer of bitumen binder to the existing road surface followed by a layer of stone chippings, which are then rolled into the binder to create a durable and skid-resistant surface.

“It helps seal the road surface, preventing water from penetrating and causing damage to the underlying layers. This also helps to prevent potholes from forming.

“It is a quick process and usually only takes a few hours to complete, meaning the contractors can sometimes treat several roads in one day. A sweeper will travel along the newly treated roads the following day to clear any immediate loose stones.

Cllr Barry Durkin (Conservative, Old Gore), cabinet member roads and regulatory services, said: “Feedback we receive shows that the condition of our roads is a huge priority for local residents and organisations.

“We are therefore very pleased to announce this additional investment of £3.66 million into surface dressing, which builds upon the success of the pre-surface dressing works we carried out in 2023/24.

“Surface dressing is a preventative maintenance treatment that is best used before road conditions deteriorate significantly, and typically helps to prolong the life of the road for 10-15 years.

“The programme will be complemented by an £8million additional investment into resurfacing over the next two years, as part of our commitment to improving our highways network.”