UK to begin trials of rubberised asphalt this summer

Corby, UK - A UK Government-funded body plans to begin trials of rubberised road surfaces this summer. WRAP, Waste and Resources Action Programme says it has allocated funds to run a trial with the aim of convincing local authorities and others that the technology is viable.

Steve Waite, Tyres Material Project Manager at WRAP said the project is in the final stages of drawing up contracts, but he expects contracts to be completed and signed in time for the road surface to be laid before September this year.

Waite said WRAP held a seminar to promote the idea and the results showed that there was a need for a trial with good dissemination of the data in order to convince participants that the technology is suitable for UK road conditions.

Waite said the trial would be in the centre of the country and on heavily-trafficked urban roads. We are hoping that councils have a green agenda, they want to do the right thing, he said. We want to encourage them to seek to use rubber in the road. And if it can be used, then you get no loss in performance, We would argue that the technology enhances performance and delivers longer life and we want to encourage that."

He acknowledged, however, that rubberised asphalt usually costs more, "Regarding cost, we take the view that initially crumb rubber is more expensive than other products, but if you look at lifetime costs, in theory the surface lasts longer. It is really good at preventing crack resistance. It is good at preventing rutting. It has added advantages of noise and spray reduction and that is what we are keen to promote.