Heidelberg Materials UK has successfully completed a complex road resurfacing project in Cheddar Gorge, the deepest natural canyon in England.
The B3135 improvement scheme, part of the building materials and solutions company’s term maintenance contract with Somerset Council, was carried out at night to minimise disruption at the popular tourist attraction. Parts of the programme required working through narrow sections of road with high rock faces and steep gradients up to 16 per cent.
Around 1,300 tonnes of worn-out road surface were removed and, where possible, recycled back into the new asphalt, which was produced at the company’s Whatley quarry in the county. The team reduced carbon emissions associated with transporting materials by using the same lorries to take the planings to the asphalt plant and return to the site with the new asphalt when feasible.
More than 2,500 tonnes of Heidelberg Materials’ Tufflex asphalt were used to resurface the two-mile stretch of road. Tufflex provides a durable surface with high deformation resistance, minimising wheel rutting, which can be an issue under heavy braking. The product includes a polymer-modified binder that provides flexibility to enhance fatigue resistance and a low void content that protects the surface from water ingress.
“The B3135 through Cheddar Gorge is one of the most scenic roads in the country,” said Tim Doyle, Somerset framework manager at Heidelberg Materials UK.
“That status, nighttime working and the fact that it is bordered by SSSI and home to a large number of inquisitive wild goats and Soay sheep, created some challenging conditions for the team!
“The successful completion of the scheme, on time and on budget, is testament to the strong partnership we have developed with Somerset Council through our term maintenance contract.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste, said: “Cheddar Gorge is a British icon, so keeping the road in good condition is essential. This was a challenging project, and I am delighted that Heidelberg Materials has delivered it on time and on budget.”
