How Long Does It Take to Resurface a Road?

Many roads under the jurisdiction of local authorities across the South of England are in poor condition. These inadequate road surfaces cause damage to vehicles, increase the risk of accidents, exacerbate flooding concerns, and lead to significant expenditure if not addressed promptly. The Road Surface Treatments Association, alongside GAIST, a highways tech company, have assessed the roads of England and discovered that 8% of A roads are deemed to be of poor quality, double the amount official figures report. 17% of B & C roads were also deemed insufficient, which is double the number official figures claim.

Resurfacing a road can take several days or a few weeks, depending on the scale of the job. Surface dressing is a suitable alternative for preventative maintenance, where a road can be treated in just a few hours if it is not heavily damaged.

In this blog, we look at road resurfacing, the solutions, timelines and benefits.

The local cost of road repairs

Addressing issues with road surfaces quickly can save on unnecessary repeat expenditure. For reference, West Sussex County Council spent £3.35 million on pothole repairs in 2023/24 across 32,267 potholes. An article supplied by the council in November 2024 explained how 40,000 safety-related defects across West Sussex highways were repaired in six months, and that £13 million was invested in repairing deteriorating roads. This was in addition to the base budget of £42.8 million and £2.1 million from the Department of Transport’s Road Resurfacing Fund. Approximately 70% of the almost £43 million was estimated for preventative maintenance, whilst approximately 30% would be spent on reactive maintenance.

These are certainly not small figures, and local authorities across the South are working hard to rectify problems. Using trusted surfacing contractors like Tidey & Webb ensures jobs are completed on time, within budget and to a high standard.

How long does road resurfacing take in the UK?

It’s difficult to give an accurate timeline for road resurfacing because many factors must be considered. Some roads require a complete overhaul, whereas others only need surface dressing. Local authorities should always consider the following before stating a definitive timeline for completion:

• The current condition of the road
• How many lanes it has
• The size of the team being used
• The length of the road
• What surface materials and equipment are being used
• The weather forecast for the duration of the planned works
• The typical road usage

The more complex the project, the longer it takes to complete, but as referenced earlier, some roads only require minimal maintenance to bring them up to a safe standard.

A typical tarmac road surface can take 2-3 days to resurface, but this can easily be extended to much longer if weather conditions dictate, the road is in poor condition, or the stretch of road is long.

At Tidey & Webb, we conduct a preliminary assessment of the surface in question to determine a realistic timeline for completion, the equipment required, and the number of surfacing technicians needed. With this inspection, we can ascertain whether a full resurface is the most suitable option or if surface dressing is more appropriate.

Full road resurfacing

• For small residential sections where the old surface is removed and new asphalt is laid, you can expect the job to take just a few days.
• For longer or busier roads where specialist equipment and traffic management may need to be incorporated, it’s possible for the resurfacing to take a few weeks.
• Once the new asphalt surface is laid, it is normally safe for traffic within 48 hours, but with the temperamental UK weather, full curing can be closer to 3 days.
• Best for well-worn or structurally failing roads.

Surface dressing

• A preventative maintenance method where a binder and stone chips are applied to the surface to fix minor issues or small patches of road.
• Can be completed in just a few hours, or within a day for larger road sections.
• Sweeping, line painting and reinstating road studs may take place for a few days after the surface is laid.
• Best for roads with minor damage

What are the main differences between road resurfacing and surface dressing?

When we are booked to conduct a full resurfacing of a road, it involves removing the original surface, often needing to excavate several centimetres deep to remove all parts of it.

In the majority of cases, this will involve closing roads or specific sections of them and using specialist machinery with our skilled surfacing technicians.

Once complete, the road is ready and can last 20 years or more; however, this depends on the volume of traffic.

Surface dressing, on the other hand, is a cheaper, faster option that extends the lifespan of the original surface by applying bitumen to the surface with stone chippings. The chippings are then embedded into the road by rolling them in, or by the traffic flow.

This can be completed in less than a day in many cases, but loose stones can be common and will require sweeping for a week or more after the surface dressing is completed.

What affects how long road resurfacing takes?

Many factors affect how long road resurfacing takes.

Weather

Bitumen and asphalt require dry and mild conditions. Rain, wind and cold weather will all delay resurfacing or dressing.

Traffic management

Busier roads may require overnight closure so the work can begin, but they may only be able to accommodate phased work to minimise disruption. This can alter the timeline to completion, so it should be factored in during the planning stage.

Sub-base repair

When we conduct road resurfacing, we may discover that the sub-base under the road surface is failing. If this requires substantial repairs, the entire project could be extended by days or even weeks, depending on the condition of the sub-base.

Council requirements

To satisfy the wider network of road users, projects may be scheduled for off-peak times. This can mean projects are often extended over several off-peak days rather than being completed during normal working hours.

What happens before and after a road is resurfaced?

Road resurfacing isn’t just about our team turning up on the day and leaving when the job is complete. It’s a meticulous process that requires planning, precision and commitment.

Before the road is resurfaced

Before any work is conducted, the road is thoroughly assessed. The current condition of the road will be inspected, looking for signs of damage such as cracks, potholes and flooding. Once the team has diligently assessed the surface and liaised with the road owners, we’ll discuss the optimal solution and the timeframes.

Upon agreement, the local authorities will create traffic management plans. This could include road closures, diversions, lane restrictions, speed limits and access for residents and businesses. Advance warning signs will be displayed to inform road users of the forthcoming work and where changes to services may apply, sufficient notice and alternative arrangements will be made.

During the resurfacing

Once the road resurfacing project is underway, the existing surface will be planed to a specific depth. This allows for a smooth, even base for the new surface material. If the sub-base is found to be defective, this will also be corrected at this stage.

Once the preparation is complete, the new road surface is laid with our specialist equipment. It’s compacted to ensure an optimal, durable finish, and depending on the treatment type, it will be conducted over a few hours or days.

After the road surface is laid

Once the road surface is laid, it will be left to cool and cure before it can be used again. This can take 24-48 hours. Once the surface is ready, the final touches are made. These would include:

• Repainting of road markings
• Reinstalling road studs or reflective markers
• Adjusting manhole and drainage covers
• Sweeping away debris and chippings

At Tidey & Webb, we specialise in road resurfacing across the South of England. Our fully qualified and vastly experienced team is on hand to improve conditions on roads of all sizes. Contact us today to see how we can help revitalise the roads in your local area.