What is fine milling?
Fine milling is an innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective highway maintenance solution that replaces the need for a new asphalt surface now and for the foreseeable future. The fine milling process removes the old failing asphalt surface, then refurbishes the largely solid original concrete road beneath.
The process involves levelling out the joint locations where one slab has possibly settled lower than its adjacent neighbour, causing a bump when driven on. It also reinstates grip by retexturing the concrete surface itself and repairs all joints and cracks using a specialist material. We can also repair deep sections of the concrete that have entirely failed.
What are the advantages of fine milling?
Previously, we were spending up to £1 million annually on continuously removing and replacing the very thin asphalt surfaces that have traditionally been on the top of most of our concrete roads. This process improved how the road looked and the grip, but lasted only four to five years before it started peeling and leaving unsightly 'potholes' that looked ugly and made for a bumpy ride. These potholes generally would be too shallow for repair causing further problems for road users.
Fine milling is an innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative highway maintenance solution that extends the life of surface where the thin asphalt layer is peeling off. In some cases, fine milling even reduces the need for a new surface altogether.
The process costs roughly the same as the micro asphalt. We spend more on the jointing materials, so that they last longer, but save money by not having to put back a new asphalt surface.
The process also reduces the impact that resurfacing has on the environment by removing the need for new surfacing materials to be produced and transported to the site, both now and for many years to come.
Why are there times when no work is being carried out?
This innovative process involves different stages of work, each undertaken by a different specialist contractor. Whilst we endeavour to keep each work stage as close to each other as possible, there are sometimes delays where the next specialist contractor may not have immediate resource or is delayed due to weather or unforeseen issues. Until we remove the top surface on the road, we will not always know what we will find underneath. This means that we are not able to plan for every eventuality and sometimes the need for additional works is identified as a scheme progresses.
How will I be impacted by the fine milling process?
We will make sure you can get to and from your house or business, but there will be times when delays are unavoidable. Talk to a member of our staff on site if you need help; talking to our staff can solve most issues.
This programme is fast paced and weather dependent. It can change last minute, so please keep an eye on our signs for any changes. You can also sign up for updates on these works using the roadworks map at one.network.
It is important that you park elsewhere while the works are in progress, otherwise parked cars may be towed.
What will my road look like after the works are completed?
Fine milling leaves a low maintenance finish and will mean the road surface life is extended.
We will mostly be using this process on concrete roads where the thin asphalt layer is peeling off, leaving an untidy surface. We remove this top layer and resurface and re-level the concrete base to its original finish, there will be no black asphalt surface re-applied.
The joints, edging and large cracks on the surface will be filled with a specialist material. This will then have a resin layer over the top which over time will match that of the concrete. The before and after photos show what the surface will look like prior to fine milling and immediately after a scheme has been completed.
The lines and patched areas will weather and match the concrete road surface.
Please note that there will be no black asphalt surface re-applied.