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Our expertise in road construction includes working on highways, new housing estates, private housing development projects, heavy-duty concrete roads and road repair work such as resurfacing and potholes.
As a specialist in groundwork and civil engineering company, we have worked with some of the biggest housing construction companies and delivered highway maintenance and construction throughout the UK.
Setting Out and Construction of New Roads
Setting out new roads in the UK involves a detailed and precise process for our clients. From planning and design to construction and completion, there are several important steps involved in the setting out and construction of new roads. Our surveyors will construct your roads to the exact specifications and ensure the highest safety standards are met.
From setting out the new roads to clearing the land, laying road foundations, and constructing roads, we have a fully qualified team that will ensure you have a road that fully complies with Section 278 agreements and is delivered on time.
Road Planning and Design
The first step in new road construction is the planning and design phase. We work with architects, engineers, and other professionals to help create a detailed plan for the road layout, including the placement of utilities, drainage, and other infrastructure.
During this phase, we also consider environmental factors and ensure you have the correct road construction consent from local authorities.
Our engineers use the latest surveying equipment and other tools to mark the location of the road accurately and ensure that it meets the specified design standards. Our engineers use total stations and Total Stations, also known as EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement) instruments. These allow us to measure horizontal and vertical angles with high precision and ensure your road follows the planning permission coordinates.
It is important to ensure the road is properly aligned and then graded to provide good drainage and prevent water accumulation on the surface. If you have a new or existing road, we plan for the water drain away from the road pavement, a crucial safety element in new road construction.
Once the planning and design phase is complete, the next step is to prepare the site for construction. This involves clearing the land, grading the surface, and preparing the sub-base for the road. It is important to ensure that the sub-base is properly compacted and graded to provide a stable foundation for the road.
The Road Base
Once the road alignment and grades have been established, we begin to lay the base course of the road. This involves placing and compacting a layer of crushed rock or other materials to provide a stable foundation for the road surface. It is important the base course is properly compacted and graded to provide a uniform surface for the road surface.
Laying the base of a road is a critical step in the construction process that involves preparing the subgrade, adding layers of base materials, and compacting the base to create a stable foundation for the road surface.
The Subgrade and Base Materials
The first step in laying the base of a road is to prepare the subgrade. This involves removing any soft or unstable materials and ensuring the surface is properly graded to provide good drainage. It may also involve adding additional materials, such as geotextile fabric, to help stabilise the subgrade.
Once the subgrade has been prepared, the next step is to add layers of base materials. The type and thickness of the base materials used will depend on a range of factors, including the expected traffic volume, environmental factors, and the type of road surface that will be used.
Common base materials include crushed stone, gravel, and sand, which are typically laid in layers and compacted using our rollers and compactors. The base layers may also be stabilised with additives such as cement or asphalt emulsion to help improve the strength and stability of the base.
It is important to ensure that each layer of the base material is properly compacted before adding the next layer. This helps to keep the base uniform and provides a stable foundation for the road surface.
In addition to adding and compacting base materials, it may also be necessary for us to install drainage infrastructure, such as drains and gutters, to ensure water can properly flow from the road surface to the sewers.
Road Surfacing
The final step in setting out new roads is to lay the road surface. This involves placing and compacting a layer of asphalt concrete or concrete to provide a smooth and durable surface for the road. It is important to ensure that the road surface is properly compacted and graded to provide good drainage and prevent the accumulation of water on the surface.
Laying an Asphalt Surface
Laying an asphalt surface is a critical step in road construction that involves laying the asphalt mixture and compacting the surface to create a smooth and durable road.
The asphalt mixture is typically made up of a combination of aggregates, such as crushed stone or gravel, and asphalt cement. The mixture is heated to a specific temperature and transported to the job site using our dumper trucks.
The asphalt mixture is then spread evenly over the base by our groundwork team using a paver machine. The paver machine is equipped with a screed that helps to control the thickness and level of the asphalt surface. Our roller then compacts the asphalt to ensure it is evenly distributed and well-compacted.
After the initial asphalt layer has been laid and compacted, a second layer may be added to create a smoother surface. This process is known as overlaying and is typically used to repair and resurface existing asphalt roads.
Our team make sure that all our roads are properly compacted to prevent air pockets and other defects that can compromise the integrity of the road through a solid road bond. Proper compaction also helps to improve the durability of the surface and prevent premature wear and tear.
In addition to laying and compacting the asphalt surface, it may also be necessary for us to add markings and road signage to help guide drivers and comply with road regulations.
Housing Estate Road Construction
We have many years of experience building roads for new housing estates across the UK on large home-building projects.
When building roads on a housing estate, there are additional factors we consider to ensure that the roads are safe, durable, and meet the needs of local residents. These factors include:
Traffic flow
It is important to consider the volume and speed of traffic that is expected on the roads in the housing estate. This can help to determine the appropriate width and design of the roads, as well as any necessary traffic calming measures such as speed bumps or roundabouts.
Safety
Safety is a top priority when building roads on a housing estate. This includes ensuring that the roads are well-lit and have adequate visibility and installing appropriate signage and markings to help guide drivers and pedestrians.
Drainage
Proper drainage is essential to prevent water pooling on the roads and causing damage or safety hazards. It is important to consider the local climate and topography when designing the drainage system for the housing estate.
Connectivity
The roads on a housing estate should be designed to provide safe and efficient access to all homes, public spaces, and amenities in the community. This can include connecting to nearby major roads or public transportation hubs.
Maintenance
It is important to consider the long-term maintenance needs of the roads on the housing estate. This includes ensuring that they are designed and constructed with durable materials and that a plan is in place for ongoing maintenance and repair.
Motorway Road Construction
As part of our work on motorway road construction and repair, we also consider various factors relating to roadworks. Only experienced companies should be used in the repair and maintenance of highways and additional factors to consider include:
The Alignment and Slope
The alignment and slope of the road are key to ensuring the safety and efficiency of a motorway. The road must be properly aligned to ensure good visibility and minimise the risk of accidents. The slope of the road must also be carefully considered to ensure that it provides good drainage and reduces the chances of aquaplaning. Water only needs to be 1/10 of an inch deep to aquaplane, and holes in the surface of the road increase the chances of this becoming a dangerous situation.
Capacity and Traffic Flow
Motorways are designed to handle high traffic volumes, so it is important to consider the capacity and traffic flow when designing and constructing these roads. This includes determining the appropriate number of lanes, designing safe merging and exiting lanes, and ensuring that the road can accommodate heavy vehicles.
Flexible pavements may also be used in high-traffic areas to add additional durability compared to rigid pavements.
Motorway Safety
Safety is a top priority when building roads for motorways. This includes designing the road to accommodate safe speeds and reducing the risk of accidents using barriers and other safety features.
Motorway Maintenance and Durability
Motorways are subject to heavy use, so it is important to ensure that they are built with durable materials and that a plan is in place for ongoing maintenance and repair. This includes regular inspections, patching, and resurfacing as needed. Our team can perform motorway maintenance at any time
Environmental Impact
Motorways can have a significant impact on the environment, so it is important to consider the potential impact on wildlife, waterways, and air quality when designing and constructing these roads. This includes measures to mitigate noise and air pollution and incorporating green infrastructure and wildlife corridors where possible.
FAQs
What types of materials are used in road construction? 
Road construction typically involves the use of a variety of materials, including crushed stone, gravel, sand, asphalt, and concrete. The type and amount of materials used will depend on factors such as the expected traffic volume, climate, and desired durability of the road.
How is the alignment of a road determined during construction? 
The alignment of a road is typically determined through the use of surveying equipment, including total stations and GPS technology. These tools allow surveyors to accurately measure the location and elevation of the road, ensuring that it meets the specified design standards.
What steps are involved in maintaining a road after construction is complete? 
Road maintenance typically involves regular inspections to identify any signs of wear or damage, as well as routine maintenance activities such as patching, crack sealing, and resurfacing as needed. It is also important to ensure that drainage infrastructure is properly maintained to prevent water damage to the road surface. In addition, regular cleaning and litter removal can help to ensure that the road remains safe and free of debris.
