By local democracy reporter, Jude Holden.
WILTSHIRE councillor for Westbury, Carole King, has said the council should be trying to put a chemical into road surfaces that will make them last longer in a bid to fix the county’s pothole problem.
As part of the full council meeting on Tuesday 16th May she asked, “With Wiltshire Council’s extensive road network and the current state of their roads, as is the problem nationally, including the extent of potholes, has Wiltshire Council applied for any further grants to help with their maintenance?
“Specifically, have they expressed an interest in the scenario as described below, and if not, would the council consider offering to run a future trial? I am aware that new research has shown that the introduction of hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) in asphalt can extend the life of road surfaces.
“A long-term trial on a stretch of the A38 in Devon in 2021 is being monitored by the British Lime Association (LA) alongside Devon County Council and their partners Aggregate Industries and South West Highways and others who provide technical support and annual surveys.
“It is hoped that these trials will prove that road maintenance and resurfacing intervals can be extended, helping LA budgets to stretch further. ‘The British Lime Association is interested in hearing from other highway authorities who may be interested in running a similar trial.’”
Council officers responded to the question and said, “The Department for Transport (DfT) provides annual grant funding to local highway authorities for highway maintenance purposes. The amount made available is based on a formulaic approach that looks at the total length of highway and its classification.
“The amount made available to the council for 2023/24 stands at £22.9m. In addition, and in recognition of the deterioration of the highway network nationally through the 2022/23 winter period, the DfT have made available an additional grant of £3.7m in 2023/24 to help address carriageway condition.
“The trials in Devon using hydrated lime are known about and the results will be monitored. The council through its own contracts and supply chain keeps in touch with innovations in surfacing materials at a national level and will look to use once proven.”
In response to this answer, she urged the council to be willing to take on experimental projects.
Pictured: Carole King speaking at the full council meeting.
