The upkeep of our roads, driveways, parks, and residential footpaths all comes down to good surfacing. Contractors undertake work to ensure that our routes of travel are kept up to standard and are not closed off unnecessarily. Ideally, this kind of work is done without delay or inconvenience to the public, although sometimes factors can complicate things.

In Chippenham recently, there has been much talk of a new road which for the moment “goes nowhere”. This road, designed to relieve pressure on the town centre, was originally slated to be ready for Easter. This time frame, however, has been pushed back over the last couple of months due to what has been described as “snagging” work still to be done.

Meanwhile in Shoreham, West Sussex, resurfacing works have been combined with road safety so that smoother and clearer roundabouts may be opened to the public. In particular, the application of new road markings is hoped to reduce, if not remove, the need for road users to change lanes as they circulate a roundabout.

With all the modern advances in the industry, as well as the techniques utilized by professional surfacing contractors, it is worth noting that the first stone paved roads have been traced back to about 4,000 B.C. in Mesopotamia and the Indian subcontinent.

In the Roman Empire roads were important for the movement of troops as well as goods. Some of the roads laid down during this period of history are still in use today, and the fundamental techniques used by the Romans form the basis of our modern roads.

Today there are sound options available for all surfacing needs. Whether a private driveway or a playground, a car park, or a residential road, the practice of surfacing and maintaining is a job that always needs doing.