Road Construction, Repair and Resurfacing
Roads built for your usage – not budget overlays failing in three years. Planned resurfacing, heavy-duty surfaces, whole-life cost optimisation. Lower emergency call-outs, extended asset life, surfaces that earn their keep.
Specialist road construction and resurfacing for local authorities, developers, and commercial operations
Your roads are taking a hammering. Heavy traffic, freeze-thaw cycles, budget surfaces never designed for your actual usage.
Emergency pothole repairs are bleeding your maintenance budget – £50+ per square metre for reactive fixes when planned resurfacing costs £3-5 per square metre. Sixteen times more expensive.
Break the reactive maintenance trap
You need surfaces engineered properly from day one. Not budget overlays failing in three years, creating repeated emergency call-outs.
We deliver road construction, resurfacing, and repair across the South West, South Wales, and the Thames Valley. Surfaces designed for your traffic volumes, not generic specs that crumble under actual use.
What we can deliver for your site...
New road construction
Full build from formation to finished surface, built to standard.
Road resurfacing and overlay
Machine-laid surface renewal extending your road's operational life.
Road reconstruction
Full depth rebuild for roads beyond surface treatment repair.
Patching and repair works
Targeted repairs addressing localised failures and defects.
Road widening and realignment
Modifications to improve capacity, safety, or access arrangements.
Surface dressing and treatment
Preventative treatments that extend surface life cost-effectively.
Why roads fail early, and why it destroys your maintenance budget
The real-world impact...
Reactive repairs bleeding your budget:
Emergency pothole repairs cost £50+ per m² versus £3-5 per m² for planned preventive maintenance. Sixteen to twenty times more expensive for worse outcomes.
Maintenance budgets consumed by emergencies:
Councils spend 15-46% of total budgets on reactive pothole repairs. Money that could fund proper resurfacing wasted on temporary fixes failing in six months.
Budget overlays failing in three years:
Cheap surfaces deteriorate rapidly under actual usage. Five reactive repair cycles cost more than one proper resurface.
Roads resurfaced once every 93 years:
UK average should be every 15-20 years. £17bn national maintenance backlog growing whilst emergency spend increases.
Programme delays from surface failures:
Developers facing adoption delays, commercial operators disrupted by emergency closures, operational impact cascading through schedules.
Safety incidents and compensation claims:
Deteriorated surfaces increase accident risk. Vehicle damage claims, personal injury liability, enforcement notices.
Asset life cut by poor maintenance:
Roads designed for 20-30 years failing in 10-12 through inadequate preventive work. Total cost of ownership doubled or tripled.
Resident and tenant complaints:
Poor road quality affects property values, generates complaints, damages reputations.
There's a more effective approach...
Roads built to last, maintenance costs designed to decrease. Planned maintenance costs 20 times less than reactive
Surfaces designed for your actual usage:
Traffic volume analysis, turning circle assessment, point load calculations. Roads engineered for what they'll actually carry, not generic specs.
Whole-life cost optimisation:
Initial investment 20-35% higher delivers 40-60% extended service life and 60-80% fewer emergency repairs. Total cost of ownership reduced 30-40% over 15-20 years.
Planned preventive maintenance:
£3-5 per m² surface treatments every 7-10 years versus £50+ per m² reactive pothole repairs. Budget predictability, lower total spend.
Heavy-duty solutions where needed:
Purpose-engineered for industrial use, HGV yards, logistics facilities. 15-20 year design life under heavy loading versus 5-7 years for budget alternatives.
Fast delivery minimising disruption:
Most resurfacing completed in 3-7 days depending on road size. Phased delivery, night shifts, off-peak scheduling available.
Documentation ready for adoption:
As-built surveys, quality certificates, material batch records, inspection sign-offs. Section 38 and Section 278 schemes meeting adoptable standards first time.
Why councils, developers, and operators choose Highways Plus
You’re managing constrained budgets and need surfaces that last. You need a partner who gets that road construction isn’t about lowest price – it’s about total cost of ownership over 20 years.
Highways Plus is different:
Whole-life cost expertise:
We calculate total cost of ownership, not just initial price. Proper surfaces reducing maintenance spend by 25-35% over asset life versus budget overlays.
NHSS and ISO certified delivery:
National Highway Sector Schemes accreditation, ISO 9001/14001/45001 certification. Quality management meeting adoptable standards first time.
Section 38 and 278 adoption specialists:
Expert navigation of adoption agreements, proven local authority relationships, accelerated timelines. Schemes signed off in 3-4 months versus 6-12 months typical.
Sustainable materials reducing environmental impact:
Up to 92% recycled asphalt content, 75-95% emissions reduction versus virgin materials. Procurement advantage in ESG-focused tenders.
Rapid emergency response:
Same-day or next-day mobilisation for safety-critical defects. Permanent hot-mix repairs, not temporary cold-lay fillers failing in six months.
Portfolio across diverse applications:
Estate roads, commercial car parks, HGV yards, agricultural surfaces, public highways. Proven track record across sectors.
A clear process delivering lasting results
Road construction and resurfacing need proper investigation, specification for actual usage, quality execution. Professional documentation at every stage.
What you get...
Most projects run through phased delivery – condition assessment and design first, then coordinated surfacing minimising disruption.
Typical timelines: 3-7 days for overlay resurfacing on moderate-sized roads, 1-2 weeks for mill and inlay, 2-4 weeks for full-depth reconstruction depending on size and complexity.
Condition assessment and specification:
Visual survey documenting defects, Pavement Condition Index rating, traffic volume analysis, geotechnical investigation. You get a report showing what's needed and why.
Design and approvals:
Structural pavement design for your actual usage, drainage integration, traffic management planning. Section 38/278 processing where required, local authority approvals secured.
Pre-construction preparations:
NRSWA street works permits obtained, utilities checks completed, traffic management approved. Site ready for mobilisation with regulatory compliance confirmed.
Structural works and surfacing:
Sub-base installation or strengthening if needed, asphalt binder course, surface course application and compaction. Quality testing at each layer.
Finishing and handover:
Ironworks adjusted to new levels, road markings applied, as-built documentation compiled. Inspection certificates secured, adoption submission ready.
Road Construction CASE STUDY
Residential development, Bristol
The Challenge:
- 2.4km of estate roads serving logistics facilities. Original budget surfacing seven years old - extensive surface cracking, multiple potholes, drainage failures causing standing water.
- Estate manager spending £35,000 annually on reactive pothole repairs. Temporary cold-lay fillers failing within six months under HGV traffic.
- Previous contractor quoted £180,000 for mill and overlay resurfacing but couldn't guarantee extended life under heavy usage.
Our Solution:
- Condition assessment identified inadequate sub-base as root cause - budget construction never designed for HGV volumes. Recommended full-depth reconstruction on strengthened base versus repeated overlay failures.
- Heavy-duty specification: Cement Bound Granular Material base, 80mm binder course, 50mm Stone Mastic Asphalt surface with Polymer-Modified Bitumen. Designed for 15-20 year life under HGV loading.
- Phased delivery over four weeks maintaining partial estate access throughout. Night shift surfacing minimising tenant disruption.
- Fixed-fee quotation of £285,000 - higher initial cost but guaranteed performance.
The Outcome:
- Surface performing perfectly 18 months later with zero reactive maintenance required
- Annual maintenance costs reduced from £35,000 to £4,000 (planned crack sealing only)
- Total five-year saving of £155,000 versus continued reactive approach
- Whole-life cost analysis showing £420,000 savings over 20 years versus repeated budget overlays
Proven delivery across diverse sectors
Whether you’re maintaining public highways, developing new estates, or operating commercial facilities, you need surfaces engineered for actual usage – not budget specs failing in three years.
Sectors that rely on us:
Local authorities and highway authorities:
Planned maintenance programmes, emergency pothole repairs, strategic resurfacing schemes. NHSS-certified delivery meeting adoptable standards, full documentation for asset management systems.
Private and public developers:
Estate road construction with Section 38 adoption management, access road construction, adoption defect resolution. Fixed timelines accelerating scheme handover and bond release.
Commercial property and industrial estates:
Car parks, internal roads, loading areas engineered for operational requirements. Surfaces maintaining tenant satisfaction and reducing management complaints.
Logistics and distribution centres:
Heavy-duty HGV yard surfacing, point-load rated surfaces for container handling, fuel-resistant finishes. 15-20 year design life under 24/7 operations.
Agricultural operations:
Farm access roads, yard surfacing for heavy machinery, drainage designed for wet conditions. Durable surfaces withstanding tractors, combine harvesters, seasonal loading.
Hospitality and leisure facilities:
Holiday park roads, caravan site access, car parks maintaining guest experience. Aesthetic finishes with practical durability for seasonal traffic peaks.
Your Road Construction questions, answered...
How long does road resurfacing take?
3-7 days typical for overlay resurfacing depending on road size and weather. Mill and inlay takes 1-2 weeks. Full-depth reconstruction 2-4 weeks. Micro-asphalt surface treatments often completed same day. We provide detailed timelines based on your specific project.
What's the cost per square metre for road resurfacing?
£3-5 per m² for surface dressing or micro-asphalt preventive treatments. £48-78 per m² for deep asphalt overlay. £90-120 per m² for concrete or full-depth reconstruction. Actual costs depend on existing condition, traffic volumes, sub-base stability. Fixed quotations provided after site survey.
How long will resurfaced roads last?
Overlay resurfacing: 7-10 years with planned maintenance. Micro-asphalt: 2-5 years as preventive treatment. Full-depth reconstruction: 15-20+ years. Heavy-duty commercial surfaces: 15-20 years under HGV loading. Lifespan depends on traffic volumes, specification quality, maintenance programme. Planned maintenance extends life by 40-60%.
Can you use recycled asphalt and does it perform as well?
Yes – up to 92% Reclaimed Asphalt Planings in new mixes. Performance equivalent or superior to virgin material, often with better shear resistance. Reduces cost and emissions by 75-95%. 5.8 million tonnes used annually in UK. Standard in sustainable procurement, provides procurement advantage in ESG-focused tenders.
What's the difference between Section 38 and Section 278 agreements?
Section 38: New estate roads destined for adoption by local authority. Developer builds to adoptable standards, council adopts after defect correction period. Section 278: Works on existing highways under planning obligations – junction improvements, access modifications. We manage both, coordinating approvals and inspections.
Do you handle traffic management during works?
Yes – Chapter 8 compliant traffic control included in all projects. NRSWA street works permits obtained, temporary diversions designed, pedestrian protection provided. Scope depends on road classification and works type. Phased delivery, night shifts, off-peak scheduling available to minimise disruption.
What happens if the resurfaced road develops problems?
12-month defects liability period included. Any defects from materials or workmanship rectified at our cost within agreed timescales. Premium resurfacing often includes 5-10 year surface performance warranty. Comprehensive insurance and performance bonds backing all commitments.
How do you determine the right specification for our road?
Condition assessment: visual survey, Pavement Condition Index rating, traffic volume analysis, geotechnical investigation of sub-base. Design calculations following Highways England standards, specification for your actual usage not generic templates. You see full justification before approving specification.
How quickly can you mobilise for emergency repairs?
Same-day or next-day mobilisation available for safety-critical defects. Permanent hot-mix asphalt repairs, not temporary cold-lay fillers failing in six months. Emergency response teams available across South West, South Wales, Thames Valley. Standard mobilisation for planned works: 2-3 weeks from instruction.
- Business parks and logistics sites requiring heavy-duty specifications for HGV traffic. Roads built to actual usage requirements, not minimum standards.
Need to understand what your roads require and what it'll cost to fix properly?
Book a Free, No-Obligation Road Construction Assessment
We’ll assess surface condition, analyse traffic usage, identify root causes of deterioration, provide a written report with specification recommendations and fixed-fee quotation.
No obligation, no sales pressure – just expert assessment from specialists who’ve delivered hundreds of road projects across public highways, private estates, and commercial operations.
Call or fill out our form and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.
Commercial surfacing and construction
Commercial Car Park Surfacing & Repair
Durable car park construction and maintenance for retail, industrial, and commercial premises.
Commercial Driveways
Professional driveway installation for commercial properties, built for heavy vehicle use and lasting performance.
Footpaths, Pedestrian Routes and Paving
Safe, accessible pedestrian infrastructure for developments, public spaces, and commercial environments.
Heavy-Duty Surfacing
Industrial-strength surfacing solutions for yards, loading bays, and high-traffic commercial areas.
Road Construction, Repair and Resurfacing
Comprehensive road building and restoration services for developments and private road networks.
Sustainable Road Construction
Environmentally responsible road building using recycled materials and low-carbon construction methods.