Improving Leicester City Centre’s Infrastructure with Essential Road Repairs

Leicester, nestled in the heart of England, has long been celebrated for its historical significance, being the final resting place of King Richard III and boasting a cultural heritage that spans centuries.

While its historical charm and cultural heritage continue to draw tourists from around the globe, the city is also a bustling business centre. Beyond the medieval landmarks and archaeological treasures, Leicester also attracts thousands of commuters daily and relies heavily on a well-maintained and efficient transportation network.

Recognising the crucial role that roads play in connecting the city’s historical landmarks, thriving businesses, and residential neighbourhoods, Leicester City Council has undertaken a comprehensive initiative of essential road repairs.

The council partnered with HMS, a well-known surfacing contractor with over 30 years of expertise in repairing road surfaces all over the country. This collaboration signified a crucial step in the city’s journey to improve its roads and ensure a safe and successful commute to and from the city. 

PROJECT SCOPE

• Permanent joint or crack and pothole repairs
• HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material
• Various roads in and around the city centre:
• Catherine Steet with the junction of Ulverscroft Road, including the roundabout
• Watermead Way
• Redhill Way flyover and roundabout
• Palmerston Way
• Glenfrith Way
• Groby Road, A50
• Traffic management

OBJECTIVES

• Extend the road surface life in and around Leicester city centre with permanent road repairs that will last for a minimum of 10 years.
• Reduce the disruption to residents, commuters, and businesses with no costly road resurfacing works.
• Improving road safety and minimise vehicle wear and tear for all road users.

RESULTS

• 16,000 linear metres of joint and crack repairs.
• Circa 50 pothole repairs with 5 tonnes of HAPAS/BBA-approved specialist material.
• Completed in just 11 nights.
• Minimal disruption to residents, businesses, and commuters.
• Permanent road repairs increase the longevity of the road surface by 10 years or more, reducing the need for resurfacing work.
• HMS’s In-house traffic management to minimise disruption, reduce project costs, and ensure on-the-job flexibility – which is how we completed it in record time.

These accomplishments stand as a testament to the strategic planning and seamless execution of Leicester City’s road repairs.

IMPLEMENTATION

#1. Traffic Management for Seamless Repairs

HMS not only worked nights to ensure minimal disruption to drivers, but also our in-house traffic management ensured a flexible, but well-thought-out plan to minimise disruptions during surface repairs. This flexibility reduced costs for Leicester City Council and ensured the project was finished ahead of schedule.

#2. Overbanding to Address Road Joint and Cracks

Overbanding is used as a targeted solution to address joints and cracks that may have started to appear on road surfaces. The technique involves applying a durable material over the damaged areas creating a seamless and protective layer that enhances the structural integrity of the road.

By HMS addressing joints and cracks using this technique, Leicester City Council is proactively preventing further road surface deterioration, reducing the likelihood of more extensive and costly repairs in the future.

#3. Pothole Repairs with HAPAS/BBA-Approved Materials

HMS filled potholes that had appeared on the road surface with materials approved by the Highway Authorities Product Approval Scheme (HAPAS) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This ensures that the repairs meet rigorous standards for quality, durability, and safety.

4.      Hot-applied Sealing for Longevity

Hot-applied material was laid by HMS to create a weather-resistant barrier on the repaired surfaces. It protects against water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and other environmental factors that can compromise the integrity of the road. The application extends the lifespan of the repairs and road surface, contributing to the overall resilience of Leicester’s road infrastructure and reducing road resurfacing costs.

5.      Quality Assurance

“Leicester City Council regularly inspects the quality and effectiveness of the road surface repairs and we are very pleased with the quality of workmanship from HMS. The team have worked efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to road users and has completed all road repairs in a timely manner.”

Jamie Long, Senior Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council

The collaboration between Leicester City Council and HMS has resulted in safer roads for residents, commuters, business owners, and tourists who travel in and out of the City Centre. By employing HMS, the project was completed in just 11 nights, meaning minimal disruption to road users. In total, 16,000 linear metres and circa 50 potholes (5 tonne) were repaired, using HAPAS/BBA-approved materials.

“The work that HMS has completed not only ensured the safety of our roads but also the longevity of our roads. These road repairs have a lifespan in excess of 10 years, reducing the costly exercise of undergoing road resurfacing works, not to mention the heavy disruptions to road users.”

Jamie Long, Highways Engineer, Highways Maintenance Team at Leicester City Council