EIGHT roads in the Forest and Wye Valley will undergo improvement works this month as part of a £1.335m scheme to prevent potholes.

The routes are among 25 roads in Gloucestershire earmarked for “surface dressing”, an “eco-

nomical” method of prolonging a highway’s life.

Work will take place on 81 km of county roads from Wednesday, July 19, to Sunday, July 30.

The treatment works by sealing the surface of the road against water and air, which cause damage to the road over time.

It improves skid resistance and road safety because the chippings which are added to the bitumen binder give increased grip.

Surface dressing is for roads that are nearing the end of their life, but haven’t yet started to fail.

Roads to be treated in the Forest and Wye Valley are the A417 between Newent and Staunton, via Upleadon; Hartpury to Highleadon; Huntley to Newent; Bulley Lane to Tibberton; Brockhollands Road in Bream; Stowe Road in St Briavels; the A466 between Bigsweir and Redbrook; and Brockworth Road in Churchdown

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “Surface dressing seals the road surface with bitumen and chippings.

“It’s a great way of preventing potholes from appearing and we expect this work to save local taxpayers in future road repairs.”

In most cases, roads will be closed while the works take place, which will usually be for one or two days and short diversions will be in place.

Work can only be carried out in dry weather, so the schedule may change at short notice.

Any changes will be notified online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-rights-of-way/roads/road-maintenance and via Twitter @GlosRoads