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Transport / Road surface dressing to begin soon

A yellow road construction machine spreads gravel onto freshly tarred road surface. A sign next to it indicates a speed limit of 20 mph and roadwork ahead.

THE SUMMER programme of surface dressing on roads throughout Shetland is due to begin soon.

Over 80 locations have been identified across the isles for surface dressing to improve the road surface and protect the road from winter frost damage.

In some locations, work is only needed on short sections of road, while at other locations surface dressing will be done on sections over a mile long.

Sealing the road surface with a layer of bitumen helps to prevent water penetration and freezing which can over time lead to potholes.

Applying a fresh layer of stone chips, pressed into the road surface, also helps to improve skid resistance for vehicles.

Warning signs of ‘loose chippings’ will be in place at each location during and after work has been completed and drivers are asked to observe these enforceable speed limits while these signs are in place.

Shetland Islands Council’s roads manager Neil Hutcheson said: “This work may cause some delays in areas where work is being done and we’d ask drivers to keep their speed down in any areas where stone chips have been laid.”

Among the locations with longer sections of road identified for surface dressing are:

  • A968 Collafirth, Delting
  • B9076 near Firth
  • Ollaberry to Leon
  • Snarraness, near West Burrafirth
  • Papa Stour
  • Laxfirth Road
  • Bridgend to Papil, Burra
  • Gloup, Yell
  • Hannigarth, Unst
  • Treawick, Whalsay

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